TEACHERS for primary and secondary schools were the stars of the show for the Isipingo Circuit Excellence Awards 2024 on March 14.

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Those who went above and beyond after hours and during weekends, and who achieved a 100% pass rate in their respective subjects, were awarded for their contributions to academia in a notably underprivileged area.

The event was a first for the circuit and in addition to recognising exceptional teachers, learners and schools also received awards for varying categories. Mancosa principal, Professor Magnate Ntombela, delivered the keynote address, during which he praised teachers and learners and harked back to the wisdom he adopted from a research study conducted in the USA in the 1970s, which found that teachers’ expectations had a profound effect on the results their respective classes achieved. He emphasised that the expectation should be to not only pass, but achieve the greatness they are capable of.

Isipingo Circuit Manager, Makhosazana Gumede, noted that there is constant improvement in the results each year, with the matric pass rate in 2022 sitting at 75%, while last year’s was an astounding 89,20%. She said that the awards recognises quality results, and the integrated support from teachers who have put in extra hours to deliver excellence.

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Civil technology teacher, Ravi Nayagar, of Isipingo Secondary School, was one of the teachers whose subject achieved a 100% pass rate. He said, “We worked as a team from grades 8-12 and were always supportive of each other. There have been a lot of sacrifices, especially during break times, weekends and afternoons. There were challenges, but the learners overcame them.”

Strelitzia Secondary School teacher, Sikhulile Gumede, is the only teacher in the Umlazi District who teaches design, a creative subject which entails designing products.

“Everywhere you look, there is design. There is a practical component where they have to design something that can be sold, and we have an exhibition where parents view their work. We run a fundraising initiative at school where we sell some of the best pieces they have created. Children are always different, so I try to understand the group that I have and figure out how to motivate them,” said Sikhulile.

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