The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, visited the Ehlanzeni Education District in the Mpumalanga Province from 15 -16 March 2023, where she conducted follow-up monitoring and oversight school visits. As she moved from one school to the other, the Deputy Minister engaged various education stakeholders at various levels including the School Management Teams, district directors and subject advisors. The schools that were visited include Phola Secondary, Nkunzi Secondary and Hazyview Comprehensive schools. During 2021, White Hazy Circuit registered a pass rate of 63.4% and improved its results by 20.3%, making it the most improved circuit when it registered 83.7% pass rate in 2022.

The SMTs in the identified schools made presentations to update the Deputy Minister about the success stories and shortcomings encountered in their respective schools.

The visit was also used as an opportunity to mobilize various education stakeholders to cooperate with schools in improving learning and teaching outcomes. Deputy Minister Mhaule urged the school communities to promote a culture of reading amongst learners whilst ensuring that learners are given necessary support to excel academically.

Deputy Minister Mhaule cautioned learners against wasting time on social media, saying that great results require a determined learner who leaves nothing to chance. She said although the schools will be closing for the first term next week, the Class of 2023 should use this as an opportunity to study even further. “I therefore encourage the province, districts and schools to consider organizing learner support programmes to address any possible learning gaps in various subjects. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Mr Bonakele Majuba, and various provincial education officials for their unwavering support every time I conduct the School Monitoring and Oversight Visit Programme in this province. As a Sector, we are committed to continue working together in ensuring that our learners acquire quality education to succeed in this school calendar,” said the Deputy Minister.