The principal (Mr Hendry Nakumba) of Nkumbulo Comprehensive school expressed how crime affected teaching and learning in his school.
Despite him alluding that crime disrupted the 2020 academic year, he shared that 146 learners were registered by the school for grade 12, but two students didn’t write, and 47 of them received bachelors, 89 got diplomas and 26 obtained higher certificates, with a 77.77% overall pass rate.
Although the pass rate dropped from 85% (2019) to 77.77% (2020) he was still pleased with the results, Nakumba applauded his teachers and learners.
The year was challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they faced more challenges when the blocks in the school premises which were renovated from 2019 triggered criminality activities to erupt uncontrollably in the school.
Nakumba told Ekurhuleni News that, “In 2019 we started with renovations in our schools, so even when the COVID-19 started the construction work was not yet done, so we had to close. It is rather unfortunate that when the contractors stopped they had installed electrical and water systems which criminals targeted. In level five it was worse the building was enormously scavenged by criminals, eight cases in total were opened, only two arrests were made and unfortunately those criminals did not get enough punishment according to me as they cost the school a lot. We only had two blocks with electricity which was the admin block and the library and that affected the learners a lot, all other blocks were without electricity along with dysfunctional toilets (without water).
The 2020 matric learners spent their whole exam duration without electricity, and we still don’t have electricity to date. We told ourselves that we will go on with teaching and learning until the contractors re-electrify the school, if it wasn’t for the criminals who stole from us, we would be in good standing and up to date with our schools’ infrastructure. I wish people had prioritised school safety because without the necessary resources it’s difficult to fulfil the purpose. Our school became a target for criminals, however we are hoping that things will be better and our security systems will be improved this year,” he uttered in sorrow.
By Vuyokazi Bam
