MEC visits Nkwanca High School
Drug abuse, teenage pregnancy pinpointed as challenges
As part of provincial cabinet’s back to school programme, the Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth led a delegation consisting of provincial government officials, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality executive mayor Madoda Papiyana, with his committee and other stakeholders to Nkwanca Public High School recently.
The aim of the visit was to ensure that everything was on track with teaching and learning.
Speaking with the media, Meth said they were proud of Nkwanca because the school has done exceptionally well in their 2023 matric results which contributed to the overall provincial percentage of over 80%.
“We are not only focusing on matric results with our visits, as we look at how schools are performing whether it’s a primary or high school,” Meth said.
According to Meth, it was vital to remind the public that all the departments can contribute to learning and teaching in schools through different programmes such as the cabinet’s back to school project, which she led.
“We are pleading to everyone to chip in and improve our schools. To improve the safety of the schools as well,” she said.
Meth said they were briefed about the safety issues at Nkwanca.
“Also about gangsterism, drug and substance abuse, which can dent the exceptional work done by teachers and pupils at the school. It was also stated that Nkwanca has a challenge of teenage pregnancy,” she said.
Meth said parents need to intervene to prevent teenage pregnancy, as it halts a child’s progress.
Papiyana said: “We brought to the school all the services the government has and we are here to also prepare the pupils who have been accepted by the University of Johannesburg. We have prepared their tickets and other items that will ease their life as first-year students.”
Papiyana added that they have agreed with the parents and the principal of the school to assess the progress of each pupil quarterly so that they can intervene and assist where possible at an early stage.
Nkwanca acting principal Nkosinathi Mbutuma said: “We are happy with the visit and we have learnt that the delegation is here to support us as the school and the commitments made will improve the school.”
He added that they had discussed how one of their biggest challenges was having young girls being involved in smoking dagga, especially those in grades 8 and 9.
The delegation also brought cleaning and extracurricular supplies to the school.