Wise head calls for teacher restoration
‘THE image of teaching as a noble profession needs to be restored as a matter of utmost urgency, if we are to take this country to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
‘Both the government and society in general have failed to inculcate a culture of teaching and learning at schools around the country.
‘Our schools today operate in a climate which is not conducive for effective teaching to take place.’
This is the viewpoint shared by the retired teacher and founding
principal of Mzingwenya Primary School, Dr Clotilda Windham Zondo, affectionately known as ‘CW.’
Born and bred in Maphumulo area, under Ilembe District, Zondo is challenging teachers to go back to basics and become teachers who would inspire confidence among learners.
‘A total lack of order and ill-discipline which have characterised our schools today, are as a result of teachers who have neglected their duties, calling, roles and opting to become something else instead.
‘What lessons could be learnt from teachers who are fighting among themselves in schools, in full view of the learners?
‘Teachers should at all times strive to remain professional. These days we learn of teachers who are sleeping with pupils at school.
‘Where are we heading as a country?’
The 87-year-old has a long history with the teaching profession, having been born to a teacher.
‘My mother (Madgalene Mzobe) taught me at Sion Primary in Maphumulo area, where I started schooling.’
After completing her senior primary education at Isithundu CP School in 1948, she went to Mariannhill College to train as an educator and acquired a T4 qualification.
She started teaching in 1952 at Emoyeni CP School in Gingindlovu, before moving to Gobandlovu CP School, later becoming the principal of Nteneshane JP School.
Dr Zondo founded eSikhaleni-based Mzingwenya Primary School in 1977 and remained there until 1992, when she retired.
Mzingwenya PS became a household name, under Zondo’s able leadership, and the school was the talking point throughout KZN for producing excellence, with senior education officials sending their children there, in search of quality education.
‘I have produced countless responsible citizens such as Dr Sibongile Mchunu, who works at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital, Dr Siphesihle Mbanjwa, who works at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and businesswoman Khanyisile Dhlomo, who was sent by her father, the late Dr Oscar Dhlomo, who was Minister of Education in the erstwhile KwaZulu Government.
‘Even the late Londa Shembe, who was the leader of the Nazareth Baptist Church, was my product.
‘I used to hit them. During my tenure, corporal punishment was the most effective instrument to instill discipline at schools,’ said Zondo, who was always hungry for more knowledge.
‘I made friends with my white counterparts, who were teaching at the former Model C schools. I copied their curriculum so as to apply it at Mzingwenya.
‘I pioneered the now widely adopted graduation ceremony in the primary schools, aimed at inspiring pupils towards higher education.
‘This program was, however, not well received by one professor at the University of Zululand, who is still alive.
‘He felt that my initiative devalued the essence of the academic world; but I’m happy that this initiative is today being practised nationally.
‘I established a school newsletter to have the history of our school documented. I promoted my school in the media houses, both locally and nationally.
‘I also established a well equipped school library and a computer centre, where we offered learners computer literacy.
‘This was way back in 1984. One school inspector said to me that my hard work was putting pressure on them to deliver.’
A day before that, Dr Dhlomo had called them all and said: ‘You inspectors are all failures. There is a candle burning at Mzingwenya. You are lazy to stretch your arms and catch the light’.
A devout member of St Martin de Porres Catholic Church in eSikhaleni, Zondo is also active in community upliftment projects.
She has received numerous accolades for her majestry in the education fraternity.
Dr Zondo was described by the late Prof Themba Sibaya as ‘a model teacher, a manager and leader with imminent achievements too numerous to mention’.