Some schools in Alexandra dedicated the opening day of the first 2015 school term to serious learning, while other children sought school entry.
This was evident at Zenzeleni Primary and Ekukhanyisweni where children immaculately dressed in new uniforms and were equipped with school books paid stern attention to their new class teachers. Those wanting entry milled at the school entrances and in front of administration blocks with parents and guardians pleading for late registration. Given the large numbers seen in the classes, some of the late comers may have to look elsewhere. The pleading crowd shocked the school principals, with one of the principals expressing concern that parents didn’t heed advance notices to register their children early. She said numerous notices for this year’s registration were made the previous year through several media, at parents’ meetings and other mediums, but parents still reneged on their responsibilities only to blame the schools when their children were not accommodated.
At Zenzeleni, a Grade 4 class under teacher Themba Msibi settled quickly into an assignment. Msibi said though early to determine, the children looked hungry for education and she looked forward to an outcome better than the previous year. Some children in a lower grade appeared more keen to create new acquaintances as they moved around occasionally peeping into others classes.
At Ekukhanyisweni, a Grade 2 class had already settled into serious learning in the early morning. In groups, the class got down to work under the guidance of teacher Princess Moyo. Moyo said the class had a good gender balance and she looked forward to challenges they will present. She committed to uphold the school’s ethos of providing them quality education provided they abstained from late coming and absenteeism which she said impeded progress in learning.
Meanwhile, administration staff at the schools inundated with requests for late admissions advised parents to approach the district’s department of education officials who were said to be in the area for advice.
