/ 13 May 2005

MEC checks up on principals

MPUMALANGA MEC for education Craig Padayachee paid a surprise visit to four schools in Nelspruit and nearby Kanyamazane on Thursday to ensure that principals are doing they job properly.

The MEC visited the schools to check on claims that principals were letting teachers drink during school hours, that there was a lack of discipline and pupils were staying away from school, said spokesman for the provincial education department Peter Maminza.

“There was a time when principals were blamed for not doing their job properly. By visiting the schools, the MEC wants to check if the principals are now doing their job,” Maminza said.

He said Padayachee also wanted to encourage pupils to work hard and to produce good results at the end of the year.

“We want to keep the spirit of learning alive among the pupils,” he added.

Padayachee visited Sitintile Secondary School in Kanyamazane, and Nelsville Primary School, Valencia Combined School and Bergvlam Hoerskool in Nelspruit.

— African Eye News Service, May 8, 2000.