Schools benefit from Port of Richards Bay

TWO high schools within the

City of uMhlathuze are enjoying a marked improvement in their overall performance, thanks to the Port of Richards Bay’s ongoing support.

Identified by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) five years ago as being in need of infrastructure and educational support, the schools have since achieved impressive results, particularly the Class of 2017.

Siphosethu Secondary School in rural Richards Bay and Khombindlela High School in Empangeni were identified by the parastatal, assisted by the Department of Education, as part of TNPA’s school adoption programme.

Prior to intervention, Siphosethu Secondary learners struggled with maths and science.

According to TNPA, one of the biggest hurdles for teachers was the lack of proper infrastructure and equipment – in some instances, pupils were forced to share desks owing to a lack of sufficient supplies.

Five years on and the class of 2017 achieved a pass rate of 100% in life sciences, 86% in maths literacy,

64% in physical science and 56% in mathematics.

Khombindlela High School is attended by many learners whose families are unable to afford essential educational material such as scientific calculators and mobile laboratory equipment.

The beginning of the adoption tenure saw TNPA furnish classrooms with desks and chairs, followed by scientific calculators and mobile laboratory equipment.

The aim was to help the learners stay on par with both other schools in the area and in the province.

‘It hasn’t been easy, but I can confidently say that we have seen a great improvement in the results when compared to five years ago,’ said the Port of Richards Bay’s Corporate Affairs Officer, Nkululeko Molefe.

‘Through the report cards over the years, you can see a distinct improvement.

‘It is not only the pupils and teachers from the two schools who have benefited - teachers from surrounding schools came through to the training sessions and have taken what they have learned back to their schools.’

The port’s involvement in the schools has also had a positive effect on the teachers.

‘There is definitely more enthusiasm all round. TNPA has given our teachers the aids they need and that makes it easier to go to class with confidence,’ said Khombindlela High Principal Lungile Ntuli.