Pretoria - Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza says he expects a 100% pass rate from the matriculants of a newly built Bushbuckridge school.
Speaking at the official handover of Frank Maghinyana Secondary School in Bushbuckridge on Monday, Premier Mabuza said he was expecting no less than a 100% pass rate now that the learners, teachers and the community have a state-of-the-art-school.
He said he was not pleased that the school’s matric results dropped from 92% in 2013 to 72% in 2014. However, since he had given them the best facility with the necessary resources, he was expecting all the students to pass.
“Maybe you did not do well because you were using an informal school. Now that you have your state-of-the-art school, all I want from you is nothing but a 100% pass. Your dignity is now resorted. You deserved better.
“We are still here in the middle of the bush, however we now have beautiful and air-conditioned buildings with flushing toilets and amenities that will expose our children to quality education. Look after your school. Do not destroy what is yours,” said Premier Mabuza.
The Premier also praised the late local community leader, Frank Maghinyana, which the school was named after, saying that his vision has paid off.
The school started as a church in 1927, but Maghinyana allowed the community to utilise it as a school during the week.
As time went on, the community also contributed a few informal classrooms until the provincial government, under the leadership of Premier Mabuza, undertook to build a school.
The school now comprises 16 classrooms with a maths and science laboratory, computer centre, library, 24 toilets, administration block as well as three sporting facilities for soccer, netball and a tennis court.
The Premier said the community and the provincial government could only make the late Maghinyana’s memory live on by continuing his dream of educating the people.
Premier Mabuza also gave the school principal the South African flag to be hung at the school’s premises. He further gave them a portrait of the late Maghinyana and official photos of the country’s leaders.
An elated Grade 12 learner, Naledi Chiloane, expressed her appreciation to government, saying the school will no longer be the same.
“We are better off than yesterday. Out of this good school, there must be doctors and scientists that will be produced here. Even one of the Presidents of this country must come from here,” said Chiloane. – SAnews.gov.za
