07 Dec 2015

The Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of Jamataka Primary School has summoned parents to the kgotla for a meeting as parents fail to show up for scheduled meetings at the school.

Briefing parents on the awkward arrangement, the school head, Ms Flora Masalila explained that their PTA meetings have not been successful the entire year.

Ms Masalila said there were issues such as the school performance and challenges of school dropouts which they need to discuss.

She noted that school drop outs were in most cases a result of teenage pregnancy and absconding.

She said this year they had two cases of pregnancy, and that they have met with the concerned parents and made arrangements that the pupils continue with their studies after delivery of the babies.

During the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), she said one pupil was seven months pregnant but managed to write her examinations.

Regarding the school performance, she explained that the school was not doing well, adding that in the first and second terms their pass rate was 43.3 oer cent and 55.4 per cent respectively, and that at the end of the year their performance stood at 45.5per cent.

She noted that it was a below average performance which calls for joint efforts.

Commenting on the school head update, parents acknowledged the importance of their participation in their children's education.

The school management was advised to engage authorities to provide the needed equipment at the school.

Without proper equipment they said their children would not be able to do well because they were not able to revise using past papers.

Meanwhile, one of the parents, Mr Odirile Thakwane said when they were invited to a meeting, it was said some pupils were collapsing because of hunger, adding that of the concerned pupils should be cautioned for neglecting their responsibilities.

Mr Thakwane further noted that what surprised him was that such pupils were provided with food by the government. He also said pupils have their once off meal at the school. He thus appealed to the school management to engage social workers and the village leadership to address such issues.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Michael Gulubane said action should be taken against parents who neglect their children and reiterated that something needs to be done about the poor results at the school. ENDS