Kaalfontein Secondary welcomes MEC for school visit
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko engaged learners at Kaalfontein Secondary on key issues including teenage pregnancy, mental health, and access to adolescent-friendly services during the 2026 school opening.
As Midrand schools opened their doors for 2026, Kaalfontein Secondary received a special visit from Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, bringing attention to the health and wellbeing of learners.
During her visit, on January 14, the MEC participated in school activities, including gardening, and engaged with learners about adolescent-friendly health services, which provide crucial support in areas such as mental health, family planning, PrEP, and antenatal care, all designed to create safe spaces for young people in the community.
Read more: MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko visits Midrand schools to promote safety, health and education excellence
Senior nurse Nandipha Mthabela, from the Gauteng department of health’s integrated school health programme, educated learners about the adolescent and youth-friendly services available at local clinics.
These centres provide safe and welcoming spaces for young people to access healthcare without judgment, offering services such as mental health support, family planning, PrEP, antenatal care, and consultations with trained professionals.
Nkomo-Ralehoko congratulated teachers, learners, and parents for the school’s impressive achievements, highlighting that the Class of 2025 attained a remarkable 96% matric pass rate.
Addressing learner placement challenges, the MEC emphasised the role of district officials in ensuring that all learners are appropriately placed in schools. “It is the district’s responsibility, not the principal’s, to manage learner placements. We work with schools to make sure every child is accommodated.”
The MEC also highlighted the growing demand for quality schooling in southern areas, noting Kaalfontein Secondary’s popularity due to its excellent results and disciplined learning environment.
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“Parents are drawn here because of the discipline, the school culture, and the consistent academic excellence. Even township schools are gradually becoming places where you would want your child to study.”
On teenage pregnancy, Nkomo-Ralehoko reflected on her efforts to strengthen the integrated school health programme, which was once underfunded and overlooked. She praised the programme’s progress over the past three years, noting improved linkages between schools, clinics, hospitals, and community health workers.
“This is a special project that I took upon myself. We engage young people, communities, and religious leaders to talk about teenage pregnancy and early parenthood. The strategy is working, and other provinces are now adopting it.”
The MEC noted a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies in local schools and hospitals, with most cases occurring in older adolescents rather than very young learners. She urged parents and communities to continue supporting civic education and ensure children have access to healthcare.
Nkomo-Ralehoko also visited Kaalfontein Primary School and Tsosoloso ya Africa Secondary School as part of her school opening day programme.
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