With the 2026 academic year now underway, questions about school preparedness in Alexandra have been brought to the fore.

In response, the Alexandra Parliamentary Constituency Office (PCO) conducted an oversight visit to Ekukhanyisweni Primary School, led by Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.

The visit formed part of the PCO’s broader school readiness campaign, and included a ceremonial tree-planting event to promote environmental awareness.

Read more: Ekukhanyisweni Careers Day prepares learners for high school

Despite ongoing challenges common to many schools in the community, the delegation commended the school’s overall condition. They highlighted the visible cleanliness of the premises and facilities, describing these surface-level indicators as positive signs of institutional readiness.

From the outset, the minister congratulated principal Yolisa Mvunyiswa and her team for their dedication and hard work.

Although she had received reports about the school, and was aware of some of the challenges it is grappling with, she emphasised that the visit was made as a courtesy and gesture of support, underscoring that schools remain vital stakeholders for the PCO.

Also read: Alexandra’s Ekukhanyisweni is an eco-friendly school

Mvunyiswa echoed appreciation for local support, while outlining the school’s realities. She acknowledged intermittent issues with water and electricity supply, although these are not overwhelming. “We do not have a lot of challenges. Councillor Sannie Mavhona helps us a lot. When we have water and electricity problems, as a councillor, she helps us.”

A more pressing concern, raised by the principal, is the lack of consistent parental involvement. Many parents, she noted, do not adequately support learners’ education, or attend critical parent-teacher meetings, which hampers holistic learner development.

Still, on the academic front, Ekukhanyisweni Primary maintains a strong overall performance. “In terms of our pass rate, we are way above 90%. However, specific subject areas present difficulties, particularly among Grade 7 learners.

“I am struggling with Setswana. Among Grade 7s, we struggle with maths and Setswana.”

Mvunyiswa attributed part of the Setswana challenge to language choices, noting that many learners select Setswana as it is often the available home language option, even when they do not come from Tswana-speaking homes, leading to foundational gaps in comprehension and proficiency.

Letsike reaffirmed the PCO’s commitment to supporting the school. “We will always be available to assist the school when it needs help.” She positioned the office as a reliable partner in addressing both immediate and long-term needs.

The visit underscores broader efforts to ensure equitable education in Alexandra as the new year progresses. Community stakeholders and education authorities continue to monitor infrastructure reliability, parental engagement, and subject-specific interventions to sustain and build on the school’s impressive pass rates.

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