Pretoria - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has committed herself to restore the culture of learning and teaching in one of the worst performing schools in the province.
Mokonyane said she would fight tooth and nail to ensure that learners at Keloketso High School in Soweto refrain from alcohol and drug abuse and befriend only their books.
She made the announcement while addressing the National Press Club about key priorities of her provincial government in the 2010/11 financial year.
The Premier said for the past 28 years, the school has been producing outstanding results, but everything changed as soon as three shebeens were built around the school.
"I am going to work very hard with parents, teachers and the school governing body of the school to ensure that the school returns to where it belongs.
"The school is currently surrounded by three shebeens and we will develop strategies to stop the distribution of drugs to students. School teachers have already identified some of the challenges," she said.
Mokonyane said her provincial government is heavily investing on education with their approach starting at foundation to secondary level.
She said they had held fruitful consultations with SGB associations and teacher unions.
"We all agreed that on a need to ensure that the African child's education is not be compromised. Every parent, teacher and learner must work in tandem with government in promoting quality education for all," she said.
Mokonyane said she expected parents and guardians of all learners in public schools to attend four school meetings in a year, one per quarter if possible, in order to understand the school environment.
"The Gauteng government will do everything to ensure that every learner does well at school and leaves our institutions with knowledge, skills and qualifications that will give them the best chance of success in adult life," she said.
