First bell, first lesson in Soweto

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Soweto - Some Soweto schools have heeded the call for teaching to start from day one of the 2010 academic year.

At the Bhukulani Secondary School, pupils had been allocated classes and teaching had started by 8am when BuaNews visited to assess their school readiness for the year.

School principal Mduduzi Mathe said they were able to ensure that classes begin from the first bell ring over the past two years by ensuring that children are registered between July and September the year before.

He said the school's admission team had worked hard last year to encourage parents to enroll their children.

But ensuring that children are in class learning on the first day is not the only achievement this school boasts - it also boasts a 90 percent matric pass rate.

Last year, 256 pupils registered to write matric and only 15 pupils failed.

"Ninety-four of the pupils qualified for bachelors degrees, 92 of them for diplomas and 49 qualified for a higher certificate. This shows that hard work coupled with discipline produce success," said Mathe.

The academic year also got off to a good start at Matseliso High School as well as Phefeni Secondary School, where teachers and learners had already begun their first lesson of 2010.