Top learner celebrates her matric achievements
Kubkeka explained that he is expecting a lot from the Class of 2022.
The top matric learner at Thutopele Secondary School (TSS) advised the Class of 2022 to find a suitable and effective studying process for themselves.
Kagiso Matjeke (17) was named the school\s top achiever for obtaining a bachelor’s degree pass and six distinctions in life science, life orientation, Sepedi home language, English first additional language, mathematics and physical sciences.
She said doing her matric during the pandemic was challenging, but she is happy with the results.
“I was not expecting these results. It was a tough year. I was able to get this far because of the support I got at home and my faith. As difficult as it was, God gave me the strength,” said Matjeke.
She shared studying methods that worked for her.
“The school recommended morning and afternoon classes, but what worked best for me was studying alone; that is how I could focus. I preferred studying in a comfortable environment at home instead of taking afternoon classes at school,” she continued.
“My message to the Class of 2022 is keep your head up and never give up because everything comes together when you put in the effort.
“We were considered the most ill-disciplined class last year, we always had meetings at school, but if you can cut down the noise, you should be able to succeed,” she said.
Matjeke plans to further her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She already registered to pursue biomedical sciences. She is waiting for her bursary application to be finalised.
TSS obtained an overall pass rate of 81.36% for 2021 with 108 bachelor’s degree passes, 99 diplomas and 20 higher certificates.
TSS principal Sengi Kubkeka said their results have dropped from the 92.81% obtained in 2020, but he remains happy with the result given the conditions teachers were faced with.
He said the drop in results was because the school parted ways with two teachers last year and because of the pandemic.
“We lost our mathematics and home language teacher. One of them retired and the other was offered an opportunity elsewhere,” said Kubkeka.
He said Matjeke has set a great example to show that even children in the township can make it.
Kubkeka explained that he is expecting a lot from the Class of 2022.
“In 2018, we had a 58% pass rate. In 2019, it changed into 85%, 92% last year, and now, it is 81% and we still have outstanding results,” said Kubkeka.
He called on parents to become a part of their children’s educational journey.
