Smooth first day of academic year in most Komani schools
Late registrations, scholar transport delays are only issues
The first day of school kicked off smoothly in Komani as all the schools started with teaching and learning on the first day, even though there were few groups of people who were queuing for late registration in all the primary schools in Mlungisi.
Parents and pupils braved the cold rainy weather on Wednesday and went to school despite a few challenges with scholar transport, which did not pick up pupils from Luvuyo Lerumo Senior Secondary School (SSS) in Tylden.
In some of the schools that The Rep team visited, teaching and learning had already started on the first day.
As part of Chris Hani District Municipality back to school campaign, its council speaker Jongumzi Cengani visited Luvuyo Lerumo SSS to check the state of readiness at the school.
Cengani brought delegations from the municipality and the Chris Hani West district department of education.
“We came and noted that the school was ready to commence with teaching and learning and the environment,” Cengani said.
He said they were thrilled to hear that the teachers were dedicated to their work and the future of the children, after they learnt that all the teachers reported for duty, except one who was on maternity leave.
Cengani pleaded with parents to stop taking children to register on the first day of school, when they were supposed to be in classes, learning.
“That is something we need to urge parents to refrain from but we are happy that about 95% of children are at school. We also appreciate DoE for transferring money on time so that children can eat today and delivering the stationery last year which resonates that the government cares about the future of the children,” Cengani said.
He added that the school raised water challenges that they faced from time to time and promised that the
municipality would address those issues.
“Another major problem is with the scholar transport but that is something we said we will discuss with the department of transport at provincial level so that pupils can be transported without glitches,” said Cengani.
Luvuyo Lerumo SSS principal Simphiwe Tyilana said: “We can proudly say that we are ready to start with teaching and evidence to that is our grade 12s who started attending last week already..”
He said their biggest challenge was
the scholar transport as there were children from Tilden who were not transported to school on the first day.
Queen’s College Primary School headmaster Colin Hartley reported that things got off to a good start, despite some apprehension from the grade 1 pupils.
“There was a lot of excitement. We had a lot of grade 1 parents here with their little boys, on their first time wearing uniform. A lot of photos were taken. I am sure it is going to be a very good year for the grade 1s who came from preprimary.
“There was a lot of excitement from our staff and a very positive vibe in the school which is very encouraging for 2024,” the headmaster said.
Hartley noted that the school’s enrollment increased from the previous year, with a total of 635 pupils in grades 0-9, which he said was encouraging for the school.
As far as the first-day attendance is
concerned he said, “We are sitting at around 99.9% with our boys’ attendance today. We did not have many absentees, which was rather surprising considering the rain and the transport issues. I know that two boys have not arrived and I am aware of their circumstances.”
Olivate Private College principal Mandisa Mashiya described the first day of school as a bit chaotic, with many parents eager to enrol their children.
Mashiya stated that some parents waited until the last minute to apply for their children’s enrollment at the school. “We receive many applications from parents of pupils who are moving from grade 7 to grade 8.
“But we have to consider the number of pupils per class and avoid overcrowding. As a result, our waiting list is quite long.”
These she said were parents who did not apply, however, they were placed on the waiting list for open space.
Olivet’s school administrator Matthew Joseph said they had placed an advert in The Rep last year to inform parents that applications were open.
Joseph also mentioned that some pupils might not be able to start school right away due to weather-related delays or financial constraints.
“The rainy weather can make it difficult for pupils to travel to school, and some of the pupils are not back from their holidays because parents don’t have money to pay for transport,” he said.
Louis Rex Primary School principal Bevan Christoffels said his school was ready to take on 2024.
“We have enrolled about 122 new pupils for the year and we trust that this year will be exceptional and fruitful.
“We are still in our old buildings, that’s quite a challenge for us and we are hoping that we’ll be moved to our temporary structures that will probably be done by the end of this term.
“The department delivered all the stationery on time so it’s all systems go,” he said.
Thembelihle Public Primary School principal Khayalethu Norman stated that they received their workbooks last year and classes had started.
“There are few parents who are here to register first-time pupils at the school.
“Teachers and pupils are all here,” he said.
Edlelweni Primary School deputy principal Nomthandazo Ncedani said the school was ready for this year.
“We have received all our stationery and workbooks.
“We have the few people that are here to register their children and teaching will start as soon as we finish distributing books,” she said.
Lukhanji Public Primary School principal Mzukisi Tshabe also said it was all systems go for his school.
“We are ready for the opening of the school, everything is in place and we are just finalising the admission of pupils.
“We have received the stationery last year and we are going to issue the stationery to the pupils,” he said.
Mpendulo Public Primary School principal Mangaliso Nqezo confirmed that they were also ready to start the year except for the same problem encountered by schools of parents registering on the day children were supposed to start learning.
“It was our first time to receive stationery so it’s 100 %. This thing of parents coming to register today takes us a step back because we have to accommodate them as well,” he said.
Nonesi Public School principal Monwabisi Koti said the same for his school that they were ready and everything is in place to commence with teaching.
“We started on January 15 to prepare for this day and on our side we are ready because everything was delivered last year. All the teachers returned to work and we were also fortunate to not have encountered any burglaries over the holidays,” he added.
Another major problem is with the scholar transport but that is something we said we will discuss with the department of transport at provincial level so that pupils can be transported without glitches