In the first instance, Makgoe, in an effort to see how well the learners understood the concepts of multiplication and subtraction, then called on two learners in Grade 1 to come up to the front. He asked the first one to count in multiples of two until the number twenty and asked the second boy to count backward from twenty to zero. The two young grade 1 learners were, however, unable to satisfactorily perform the multiplication or times table exercises. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports that in the second instance, he then asked a young girl in grade 6 to read from a book, which she did but when he quizzed her on how well she comprehended what she had just read, she was unable to do so.

Speaking at an infrastructure handover at the school on Monday, Makgoe expressed his disappointment to those present at the gathering, saying that only the teachers could be blamed. He gave a stern lecture to the teachers, speaking on the importance of literacy and numeracy skills and said it is ultimately each teacher’s responsibility to see to it that their learners master every subject they are struggling with. He finished off by stating that in a few months’ time, he will make an unannounced visit at the school and choose another few random learners to test their English and Mathematical skills to establish whether or not the situation at the school has improved.

The primary school was one of seven in the rural town of Thaba Nchu which benefitted from an infrastructure programme which was the collaborative effort of the Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) and the Provincial Department of Education’s school development programme. The schools that benefitted from this project received either basic or incentive infrastructure. Basic infrastructure refers to the building or renovation of ablution blocks and classrooms, perimeter fencing and the provision of desks and chairs. All schools that benefit from the development programme, receive basic infrastructure where it is required and where it is not already being provided by the government. A new kitchen was donated to the Ereskuld Primary School which has a feeding scheme, as well as a shaded sitting area where learners will now enjoy their lunch during breaks.

OFM News