Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka alongside members of the provincial legislature visited the Harry Gwala District to participate in the legislature’s school monitoring programme.
The programme is a province-wide initiative spearheaded by the provincial legislature in which members are deployed to various schools across the province to assess the state of readiness for the academic year. MEC Hlomuka first visited Hlokozi High School where he encouraged learners to strive for excellence in the academic year ahead.
In his address to the learners, MEC Hlomuka said, “Education is an important tool that we urge you as young people to use. As young people, you are the future of this country. On this first day of school, we want you to be focused and determined to succeed in this academic year”
Hlomuka also expressed concerns regarding the numerous challenges faced by Hlokozi High School, which include the spread of social ills like drug and substance abuse, vandalism, and poor performance, which stems from the drop in the matric pass rate. The MEC has called for an urgent meeting with Operation Sukuma Sakhe stakeholders so that the issues of social ills can be dealt with holistically.
The delegation, which was chaired by Cogta Portfolio Chair, Honourable Ricardo Mthembu, also visited Kwathathani High School outside Ixopo, where they engaged the management of the school on its plans to improve the performance of the school in the current academic year.