Less hiccups at start
WHILE some schools were up and running and ready for a year of teaching and learning on Wednesday, others were still trying to register children.
A large number of parents had gathered at Van Coller Primary School’s first assembly. Principal Edward Valashiya said the school faced minimal challenges with registration and had received the learner-teacher support material (LTSM) on time.
“We planned well for this year. We have already made subject allocations and received our stationery.”
He said the school’s nutrition programme was in place after the supplier delivered the food on Tuesday.
A shortage of teachers could, however, pose a problem this year.
“We have a lot of subjects and teachers end up having to attend to many classes.”
By the time the bell rang at Nonesi Public Primary School, orderly lines were forming in the quad.
Principal Mbulelo Notsele said they had received their stationery last year and everything went well on the first day of school.
At Nkululeko Junior Primary School (JPS) some of the LTSM had been received, but some was still outstanding, principal Nomanani Ntshewula said.
The school had a huge shortage of furniture, after having received the last batch about three years ago. “We have no teacher shortages but the late registration of pupils by parents is negatively affecting our operations as it takes away from teaching time. We asked parents to register their children in September, but they did not.”
She said some parents had taken their children to other schools, but when they could not be placed, they then returned to Nkululeko. The school, however, needed more pupils as the numbers were low.
Lonwabo JPS principal Melikhaya Tywabi said the school had not received any of the LTMS it had ordered last year but stationery had been received.
He said not receiving the LTSM had a huge negative impact, especially with the new grade 6 class recently introduced to the school.
The school had enough furniture but was short of about five classrooms to accommodate the 852 pupils who shared 10 toilets.
“We tackled late registration on Monday and Tuesday, today there are just a few individuals. We have managed to contain overcrowding by turning away some pupils. We appeal to parents to register their children from July to September,” he said.
At Louis Rex Primary School, several parents were still trying to register their children on Wednesday morning.
Only a few tears could be seen on faces while teachers went through lists and made sure their young charges were settled. The school’s nutrition programme was also operational and several children could be seen eating porridge.
Southbourne Primary School pupils were gathered in the classrooms and ready for their year of education while, at Queen’s College Junior, Laerskool Hangklip, Stepping Stone and Balmoral Primary School, teaching also started on the first day.
Happy Feet preschoolers were glad to be back for more fun.
Head Aletta Friess said they were still enrolling children this week as there was space available.
Playways owner and head Michelle de Kock said the children were back with a challenge being parents who postponed registration until schools opened.
Preschooler Nqobile Ncamaza said he cried on his first day because he wanted to stay at home with his brother.