MEC for Education visits Vryheid
THE MEC for Education in KwaZulu Natal, Mthandeni Dlungwane, visited local schools last week as part of his program to monitor how the national senior certificate examinations are conducted.
THE MEC for Education in KwaZulu Natal, Mthandeni Dlungwane, visited local schools last week as part of his program to monitor how the national senior certificate examinations are conducted.
The MEC visited Filidi, Mpofini, and KwaBhanya.
“As the Department of Education we want to ensure that the exams are free of issues pertaining fraud,” said the MEC.
The MEC said that although they have not yet had incidents of leaked papers, the aim of the monitoring program is to ensure that these do not occur at all.
“In previous years we have had issues where papers were leaked and we have thus had to take a firm stand. At the moment, no paper leakages have been reported in the KwaZulu Natal province,” he said.
The MEC also went on to see Harpo Primary School as he received a letter two weeks ago regarding the lack of furniture in the school.
“The matter needs urgent attention and we cannot improvise when it comes to the education of our children,” the MEC said, speaking to the directors of the local education department.
The school, which takes roughly 42 learners per class, has certain classes that are completely without desks and chairs.
According to the educators, the children write on their laps and this is very difficult during exam time.
“It is very difficult to invigilate a class of 42 children who are seated on the floor. How does one ensure that no one cheats or that no one copies from another person’s work?” asked a frustrated Mr Mthokozisi Mavuso, who is one of the educators at the school.
“Would your children learn in a school with such classes? No, definitely not. We should be giving these children the best we can when it comes to their education,” the MEC said.
Department officials said that they would be working towards settling this issue by the end of this month.
“When I come back here I expect to find that things are much better than this,” the MEC said in conclusion.
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