As part of the Provincial Government’s re-opening of schools campaign, the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, visited the Ba Ga Phadima High School in John Taolo Gaetsewe District and the Valspan High School in the Frances Baard District to ensure that learning and teaching takes place from the first day of the school year. The schools that were visited form part of the schools that were adopted by Members of the Executive last year in order to assist these schools to increase their below average pass mark. Adopting these schools would entail the Premier and the Executive working with the learners, teaching staff and parents to improve the outcome of the matric results. The Premier expressed his satisfaction at both schools for the remarkable increase in the 2019 matric results with Ba Ga Phadima and Valspan High Schools showing an improvement of more than 35% compared to their 2018 matric results.

There were no back to school blues at these schools and Dr Saul was warmly welcomed by excited learners geared for the new school year. Dr Saul encouraged especially the grade 12 learners at the Valspan High School to improve on the 71, 7% pass mark of 2019. This challenge was accepted by the learners and the commitment was made by the Headboy, Patrick Jakwa, that they will achieve an 80% pass mark this year. The Premier highlighted to learners that the Provincial Government expects this cohort of grade 12 learners to increase the pass percentage of this year and for that to happen all schools must achieve the National average of 80%.  “Nothing can stop you from being the best that you can be; we are here to encourage you to work very hard. Parents also need to get involved in the education of their children in order for us to achieve the successes that we strive for”, stated the Premier.

At the Ba Ga Phadima High School Premier applauded the school for their contribution in making the John Taolo Gaetsewe District the second best performing District in the Province. He also congratulated them for being one of the best schools in the region with a pass mark of 82, 9% and challenged the class of 2020 to maintain and improve on these outcomes.

Overall Dr Saul was pleased with the school readiness at both the schools he visited. Textbooks and stationary are available; learners and educators were on time armed with a sense of responsibility to tackle the school year. Impressive was also the level of enthusiasm of the learners and educators. Dr Saul made a commitment to work with the schools as well as address infrastructure needs and challenges to ensure that there are no stumbling blocks in ensuring the success of the learners. “Government will also do its bit to support you in achieving success, for this reason we are conducting the first of a number of visits to ensure that education remains a priority and that our learners receive all the support they can get”, concluded the Premier.

This year through the intervention programme of the Provincial Executive, Government will build and improve on the matric results. This is a commitment that is not based on empty rhetoric but one that is supported by all stakeholders in the Education sector and one that ensures that through education we are able to open doors and change lives.
The mandate was also given to the MEC’s to take a tough stance against schools not being ready to start the new school year. Dr Saul also made the call that the adopting of schools programme should be intensified and that the visits to schools should take place throughout the year to ensure consistency and also to ensure that the teaching staff together with the parents remain true to their commitment to provide quality support and education to the learners.

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