12 Jan 2023

The first batch of Machana Primary School pupils who sat for the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) last year have obtained a 78.8 per cent pass rate.

Briefing residents at a meeting addressed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Moshupa/Manyana, Mr Karabo Gare recently, the school head, Ms Mary Mbikiwa said they could not achieve their 100 per cent target owing to challenges prior to examinations.

“The last term was a big challenge because some learners absconded from school. We had to engage other stakeholders such as the police and social workers to assist us to fetch the pupils so that they could write the exams,” she said.

She further noted that most learners lived and arrived late at school. Subsequently, she called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that pupils attended school accordingly and were not engaged in anti-social behaviour.

Notwithstanding, Ms Mbikiwa commended the village leadership and some parents who contributed to the 2022 PSLE results. She further applauded the Southern District Council for providing basic necessities to the learners as they begin Form One at a boarding school.

The school’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairperson, Mr Charles Kebaswele urged all stakeholders to cooperate and support the school management for improved results. He appealed to parents to take responsibility and to monitor their children’s studies. “As the school term starts, let us play our role as parents and show interest in our children’s school work,” he said.

Other residents said pupils arrived late at school due to the distance they travelled from home.

They said the land board should hasten residential plot allocation for the area around the school to improve the situation.

In response, Moshupa Sub-land board chairperson, Ms Agnes Molatlhiwa said the layout for Moshana residential plots had been approved and was awaiting demarcation and numbering. She encouraged residents to submit applications for future allocations. Ends