The 2014 matric preliminary examinations at Realogile High School got off to a bad start.
The exams are a practice-run for the national final year examinations, which start in barely two months.
The school is in mourning following the death of one of its educators, who pioneered the school’s resurgence from a very poor pass rate of 11 percent in 2000 to the 69 percent by the end of the same year. The teacher, Joseph Makunye [48], died after intermittent bouts of illness on 29 August, the date the exams started.
The deputy principal, Dingaan Kubheka said that although Makunye had been ailing for sometime, his death was unexpected and also untimely, as it impacted the students especially those who he taught in maths and science, and also his colleagues who looked forward to seeing the outcome of his work after the examinations.
“We hope the children will draw inspiration from his hard work by doing well and as remembrance of him,” he added.
According to Kubheka, Makunye contributed significantly in improving the school’s performance in maths and physical science to above 80 percent in the past three years.
He described Makunye as a self-motivated and conscientious educator who was unmatched in his dedication, planning and punctuality to lessons.
“He was always helping motivate other teachers and his excellence put him in high demand by several former Model C and some private schools, which tried but failed to recruit him because of his determination in helping less privileged children. His abilities were also recognised by the Department of Education, which included him as one of the markers for the Grade 12 examination papers.”
Makunye had a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the North West [Mafikeng], formally known as the University of Bophuthatswana.
He was a divorcee and is survived by a daughter, who is awaiting results for admission to the Wits medical school.
Details: Dingaan Kubheka, 073 954 1539.
