Ten-year partnership celebrated
"You must set your goals and work extra hard to achieve the best results."
Ebony Park based secondary school, Ponelopele Oracle set the bar for its academic achievement for the past 10 years.
The school celebrated its 10th anniversary on Monday.
Among the dignitaries who attended the function were academics, former learners, principals from the neighbouring schools, representatives from the Johannesburg East District and the Province, the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and representatives from Oracle.
Speaking to the audience, Mr Tinyiko Mkhabela, who is the deputy principal of Ponelopele Oracle said, ”We have come a long way as a school. We have tasted and achieved a 95 percent matric pass rate since our school was opened in 2007.”
Ms Kholiwe Makhohliso, a representative from Oracle SA said, “Celebrating 10 years of success did not come cheap. It comes with great success and stories of the school over the years. It was as the result of our firm commitment and a sound partnership with the South African government.”’
She acknowledged the support of the Minister of Basic Education who has supported this project since its inception, while she was the MEC for Education in Gauteng.
Delivering her keynote address, Minister Motshekga said: “It was not an easy journey to reach where we are now, at times things went off the rails, but here we are celebrating 10 years of partnership with Oracle, which has invested millions of rand in this institution.”
“Our partnership with Oracle is unique and special. Education is not about learners, it is about the community,” said the minister.
She encouraged Ponelopele Oracle learners to continue to be model learners.
Praise Ndebele, a former learner who is now studying actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, offered the following advice to the learners, “You must set your goals and work extra hard to achieve the best results.”
