Headmaster of PE's worst performing school breaks down in tears

CHRIS MARTIN

Dineo Matomela EDUCATION REPORTER

THE principal at Port Elizabeth’s worst-performing school broke down yesterday as he told members of the provincial legislature how despite efforts by teachers, pupils failed to make the grade.

DDT Jabavu Senior Secondary principal Bonginkosi Gotyana could not hold back the tears as he gave a delegation from Bhisho a report on the performance of last year’s matric class.

The delegation, led by Education Portfolio Committee whip Christian Martin, Member of the Provincial Legislature Dennis Neer and acting Port Elizabeth district director Dr Nyathi Ntsiko, completed a two-day visit to Port Elizabeth schools yesterday.

Gotyana, flanked by his teachers, also told of his plans to turn the school around.

"I am here in front of you and the staff to show a willingness to move the school forward,” he said.

Gotyana conceded that there was little commitment from last year’s matrics. He said an example of one of the problems was that sometimes 20 pupils out of a class of 21 would not return to class after break.

Teachers also spoke of the shortage of textbooks and science apparatus and the lack of discipline by pupils. A room for the apparatus and chemicals used for science experiments and a classroom burnt down in 2008, and the school had never recovered, said Gotyana.

Pupils have subsequently been doing their experiments at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University since last year.

Martin said the school had to establish partnerships with neighbouring schools who were successful.

"You need to form (partnerships) with teachers and pupils at neighbouring schools including former Model C schools to see what they are doing right,” said Martin.

DDT Jabavu managed a meagre 11,1% matric pass rate last year.

The delegation also visited New Brighton’s Ithembelihle Comprehensive School which outdid DDT Jabavu by only a small margin, attaining a 17,9% pass rate.
They then went to the high-performing SEK Mqhayi in KwaDwesi which attained 100%.

On Wednesday the delegation visited Woolhope High School where a parent allegedly attacked a teacher.

The delegation also met with parents at Zwide’s Zamukukhanya Public Primary where three children died following an accident on their way home from school early this week.

They also discovered Chatty’s children were travelling long distances to attend school. "They should not walk long distances or stay away from school because there are no schools close by.”

The delegation will also be visiting schools in Grahamstown.