Republikein Newspaper

Michelline Nawatises

Pull quote: “The parents are still expected to voluntarily support their schools financially.” Deputy minister of education, arts and culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka.

The deputy minister of education, arts and culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, urged learners to be committed to their studies and uphold their schools’ code of conduct when she addressed teachers, principals and learners at the start of the 2020 academic year.

She also outlined the options open to last year’s part-time grade 10 candidates in view of the phasing out of the old curriculum. All learners who have not met required performance targets and might need to repeat a grade need to work extra hard and utilise the opportunities given.

Those full-time candidates of 2018 who improved their grades through part-time study last year and obtained 23 points can enquire at regional education offices whether there are school placements available in the current grade 10 following the NSSCO new curriculum.

“It remains the ministry’s advice that these learners should rather continue through part-time tuition centres in the old curriculum over two years, doing three subjects per year to obtain their NSSCO qualification,” she said.

The deputy minister urged the various divisions and directorates to continue supporting the implementation of the new curriculum to ensure that continuous monitoring and evaluation take place.

The deputy minister also advised parents to become more involved in their children’s school activities.

“Parents should support their children with schoolwork and extramural activities as I believe that a parent who remains the child’s partner in education will be a trusted partner in dealing with the outcome of results and crafting the way forward, whether positive or negative,” she said.

On the hand, parents and guardians were also urged to shoulder their moral obligations and social responsibility towards their schools by making the necessary financial contributions within their means.

“The parents are still expected to voluntarily support their schools financially in order to be able to be part of the quality teaching and learning of the learners,” Nghipondoka said.