Mayor Mcebo Mkhize marked the start of the new school year with a visit to Dundee Secondary School, where he congratulated staff on achieving a record 91% matric pass rate.

The result represents a significant improvement on the 82% achieved by the class of 2024.

School raises challenges

Principal Smanga Dlamini told the mayor and his delegation, which included Speaker Andile Nsibande and municipal officials, that staff were proud of the results achieved despite a difficult year.

However, he raised several challenges affecting the school. Chief among these was a power outage caused by an unpaid electricity bill from the Department of Education, which has reportedly grown to more than R300 000.

Dlamini said the lack of electricity made it impossible to print documents and placed pressure on staff trying to ensure learning and teaching continued on the first day of the school year.

Learner safety was also highlighted as a serious concern, particularly for pupils from Craigside who must cross the busy Dundee/Vryheid provincial road. The school appealed to the Department of Transport to install speed humps to slow traffic and prevent further accidents.

Other issues included tree stumps in the school grounds that are limiting the expansion of the school garden. The school requested assistance from the municipality to remove them. Delays in the delivery of stationery from the Department of Education were also raised.

Mayor pledges support

In response, Mkhize congratulated the school on its improved academic performance and assured the school community that the concerns raised would be addressed.

He undertook to engage the Department of Transport regarding the installation of speed humps, confirmed that the municipal electrical manager would attend to the electricity issue, and stated that community services would assist with removing the tree stumps.

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