Being a manager of Makukhanye Primary, one of the best performing Imbewu schools in a district of Jeffreys Bay, has been one of my highlights as an educator.
Of course, things seldom go according to plan. Take, for example, the second day of Imbewu Reading Week. We were expecting some grandparents to come in to tell stories to the whole school at midday.
At first break I was reminded of an important principals’ forum I had intended to dodge. At the same time, I had been trying to get the school’s intercom system working — without success.
At second break I had to juggle a management meeting with two sets of visitors who needed attention. Then the bell rang and we had to rush to class.
Poor me! When I went to fetch the Grade 7’s lesson I’d prepared, I found that workmen were busy in my office. ‘Ag, I’ll remember everything once I see the textbook,†I told myself. But I was hardly in the classroom for five minutes when a parent wanted to have a word with me.
It was 12.35pm by the time I’d finished with the parent — only to discover that the grandparents hadn’t turned up due to bad weather. What a blow!
My colleague and I decided to take the place of the grannies. We were still in the middle of story telling when I was called because there was a car waiting to take me to the principals’ forum. I hadn’t had any time to even look at my watch! But I was only 15 minutes late for the meeting.
My warmest gratitude goes out to all those educators who are caring and dedicated to their work. May God help all of us to keep up with the pace!