The principal of Tlakula Secondary School, Nonhlanhla Thembekwayo is impressed by the overall performance of her 2020 matric students.
Tlakula Secondary School obtained an 84, 76% matric overall pass rate and claimed the second spot in the best performing high school category in KwaThema.
Hundred fifty one (151) learners wrote their exams, but only 128 learners passed. 87 learners obtained their bachelors, 33 of them obtained their diplomas and only 8 learners passed with higher certificates.
The principal mentioned that the school never closed, and that the challenges that they had never affected the school. Thembekwayo expressed, saying, “It might have not affected us physically but it did affect us emotionally. There were challenges that affected the pupils emotionally but they knew quite well that they had to work hard and push despite these challenges. Learners were afraid of the COVID-19 just like everyone else as it was new to all of us.”Tlakula Secondary pass rate percentage increased by 11.56% compared to the 73.2% pass rate of 2019. The Secondary School plans to sustain the pass rate as it has already started with morning classes, they are also planning to invite motivational speakers for teachers and learners as they did last year. The principal stated that, “Before the COVID-19 pandemic we spoke to our learners and they pledged/declared to work hard, and as time went by we kept on reminding them over and over again in order for them to keep their promises. We will do that again this year since that yielded good results. The difference this year is that both teachers and learners promise to be extra committed to their duties, because they are all familiar with this life claiming virus, we aim to keep our environment clean, and I think with the department of Education’s programme of employing the young youth things will be better. We went beyond the mark by employing 30 youthful individuals instead of 20 and that has made a huge difference this year.”
During the interview she also snatched an opportunity to encourage the 2021 matric students, stating that: “We are only guiding them to the right direction, therefore they must also learn from the class of 2020 that despite all challenges it’s possible to achieve,” the principal concluded.
By Vuyokazi Bam
