Ordinarily school holidays are a period in which learners take a break from their books. But times are changing. Countrywide, learners from different social settings are buckling down during the first-term break to catch up on and revise the curriculum.
In the east of Gauteng, the Phumlani Secondary School is nestled in the centre of the densely populated Katlehong township with its untarred streets and a dusty, open sports ground. This week, the school scooped top honours in the national Department of Education awards for home language improvement.
To Phumlani principal Tenboys Shongwe, the achievement did not come as a complete surprise. “We have always emphasised the importance of languages to our learners. We believe language is not just about communication, but it also equips learners with skills to analyse and interpret text that they need in their conversation and when they read books,” said Shongwe.
He commended Phumlani’s learners and teachers for their hard work and commitment. “They are always willing to go an extra mile. Coming to school during holidays is nothing new to us, and even during normal school days learners remain behind or come on weekends,” he said.
To ensure learners attach importance to their languages, the school invites established personalities, such as a Wits lecturer in the department of African languages, to give motivational talks, Shongwe said.
Grade 12 learners Tebogo Leeuw, Dikeledi Letsoko and William Mdluli, who said that they do not mind sacrificing their holidays, shared their principal’s sentiments about the importance of languages, adding that it is to their benefit to learn in their mother tongue.
Representing Gauteng’s south among the winners was Mondeor High School, which took top honours in the category recognising outstanding achievement in mathematics and science.
Mondeor is part of a national action plan to improve mathematics, science and technology education, called Dinaledi. The selected schools serve as nerve centres and provide support to other schools in the surrounding areas.
Principal Vanagelia Nicolaou, like Shongwe, attributed her school’s success to the dedication of its staff.
“Our teachers are committed to their work. We believe the way forward is through education and that we should use a child to shape the future of our country,” said Nicolaou, who was excited that her school is doing well in an area that has been identified as key to the development of the country’s skills resource base.
She cited after-school and holiday classes, as well as incentives to top-performing learners, as part of Mondeor’s recipe for success. “Our teachers are motivated and this rubs off on the learners. Through certificates and awards we make sure our learners get motivated as they have something to work towards,” she said.
Ramanunni Vinod, a grade 12 science teacher at Mondeor, said he also believes the secret in success lies in selflessness and commitment on the part of teachers. “I make sure I am available for my learners at all time. More importantly, when I teach, I make sure I make the subject relevant, interesting and practical. That way learners keep focused and their interest is always maintained,” he said.
Grade 12 learner Keron Pearce said: “What makes me love the subject is the fact that our teacher makes it practical. He also organises field trips to science facilities to learn more by doing experiments.”
For Buhle Gumede, Pearce’s classmate, it all boils down to the support among learners. “We are not selfish and always share information and ensure we work together. Extra classes like this are very productive and I make sure I do not miss one,” said Gumede.