POLOKWANE – A lack of Afrikaans teachers did not prevent last year’s gr. 12 learners of Westenburg Secondary School from passing their senior certificate examinations.
In the middle of last year, angry and frustrated parents locked the school gates in protest of the lack of teachers and the fact that there was no electricity or telephone services due to the school’s accounts being in arrears.
Despite these obstacles, the gr. 12 group of 2013 passed with a pass rate 6,3% higher than the pass rate of 2012. In 2012 the matric pass rate was 72% and in 2013 it was 78,3%.
Petrus Monyama, school principal, said the school was showing improvement and he would not rest until the school’s matric pass rate was 100%.
“Going down is easy, but working your way back to the top is very difficult. But it is not impossible. We will work hard and stop at nothing,” Monyama said.
He also added that he was very proud of the class of 2013.
“They worked hard and some were so dedicated that they studied at night in one of the classrooms at the school under my supervision,” Monyama said.
It is not just the principal who is proud of the gr. 12s; parents and the school governing body (SGB) are just as proud.
Yvonne Peters, a parent, said the group showed dedication and determination and that was the reason for their success. “I am very proud of them, especially my daughter Claudette.
“I would like to thank the principal and deputy principal for the help and support they have given my daughter.
“When there was something she didn’t understand, they were always available to help and when she was feeling down, they always motivated her to work harder,” Peters said.
Another parent, Susanna Watkins, said the matrics of 2013 had set a good example. “In some subjects they did not have teachers, but this did not put them off.
“Instead they worked together as a team, helped each other and passed,” Watkins said.
SGB chairperson, Eugene Lyle, said he took his hat off to the class of 2013.
“They worked hard and supported each other. I am very proud of them and have great respect for each and everyone of them.
“I wish them all of the best in their future endeavours,” Lyle said.
