OPINION: My recipe for quality education

• Raliphi ‘Master Push’ Xolelizwe from Chief Mogale writes:

As I greet you at the beginning of the new year, I want to first and foremost wish all residents a prosperous 2025.

Individually and collectively, let us strive for excellence in every positive thing that we do. Our organisation and the city require all of us to play a role in this regard. As Progressive Civics Congress (PCC) we will pick up where we left off.

Let me first introduce myself, this time not as an ANC or South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) member but as a proud member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in good standing and Gauteng Progressive Civics Congress Provincial Executive Committee member. ‘Master Push’ as I am fondly referred to inside and outside the organisation has occupied the position since 2024 in the province.

Gauteng schools will this week be hopping around and hopefully, it will be a hassle-free first day as thousands of learners return to the classroom. With thousands of Grade One learners starting school this year, the PCC has taken steps aimed at ensuring that all schools take responsibility for teaching and learning on the first day.

Some of the steps the PCC embarked on to ensure school readiness include the cleaning of school environments before the first day of school. The PCC has also deployed senior leadership with a checklist to ensure that all is in order at schools.

In provision, quality education is a marathon, not a sprint and it will take commitment from all to turn it around completely. It is for this reason that we are calling upon everyone to pull their weight and think as well as act in one direction in making sure that our children receive the necessary and quality education.

For us to get education right, quality leadership is vital as well as an understanding of partnerships in education. PCC would like to add that educators were central to improving reading and writing and need to come on board to ensure improvement in education.

Teaching needs to be improved and support from all, including parents, is vital. By attending workshops and parent school meetings they will be taking a hands-on approach that will go a long way in ensuring a learner’s success.

The community, civil society, parents, and school governing body members shared the MK Party alliance civics movement’s sentiments and attributed the increase in the matric pass rate to everyone’s involvement. Based on the knowledge that we had, we were then able to mobilise and pass on what we had learned to both parents and learners. We have the resources to provide free education and training to all, from preschool to tertiary level, if only we reorganised our priorities.