Teaching is a thankless job. When learners do well, the Department of Education takes the credit. But when learners perform poorly, teachers are blamed, even when they are not to blame. Hence many educators are completely demotivated.
On the other hand, educators are overworked and paid peanuts. Yet they are expected to produce excellent results. In most public schools, educators teach more than 30 learners in a class. Yet they are expected to give each learner individual attention. That’s impossible. But that’s a topic for another day.
Primary schools don’t enjoy the same attention as high schools. Interestingly, this is where many things go wrong. If learners are not given a good foundation, they struggle at high school and at tertiary institutions. Some drop out even before Grade 12, which is a cause for concern.
So primary schools should not be treated like step-children by the Department of Education. They are equally important. And they deserve equal attention. Otherwise, the trend of learners struggling at higher levels and dropping out will persist.
I obtained my primary schooling at Thembile Primary in Kagiso. I was in the first group that started Standard 3 (now Grade 5) until Form 1 (now Grade 8). The then principal was Mrs Yeni, whom I am told is still alive.
I and a number of other former Thembile learners have clubbed together to plough back to the school. We want to thank the school and teachers for giving us a solid foundation for life through education. We have consulted the school (but not formally so) about our noble intention. So far so good.
The school has produced doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, politicians and so on. Some of the educators teaching there are former learners. I’m sure many ex-learners will be more than happy to plough back with us. So we make an appeal to them to join us in our attempt to give back to the school.
I am aware that such a project was initiated previously, and ended up going nowhere. So ours might be treated with scepticism, and understandably so. But that’s no reason for us not to try again in the interest of education and giving back. We dare not fail!
Former learners interested in joining us can contact Lungi Mtongwana-Ndou on 079 891 8130.
