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nobody MUST stop learning

TOP OF THE CLASS: Deputy President Khalema Motlanthe sits in on a science lesson at Soshanguve "Technical High School, north at Pretoria. Pic. Peggy Nkomo. 19/01/2010. © Sowetan.
TOP OF THE CLASS: Deputy President Khalema Motlanthe sits in on a science lesson at Soshanguve "Technical High School, north at Pretoria. Pic. Peggy Nkomo. 19/01/2010. © Sowetan.

DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe says no one must be allowed to disrupt education at schools.

DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe says no one must be allowed to disrupt education at schools.

"No one, regardless of their status, (either) being a councillor or a president, must disrupt your learning," Motlanthe told pupils at Soshanguve Technical High School, north of Pretoria, yesterday.

He was visiting schools in Soshanguve as part of the government's school monitoring process to gain first-hand insight into problems facing schools in the region.

During his visit Motlanthe attended a Grade 11 lesson on electrical technology.

"I have learnt a lot about atoms. My knowledge about electricity has been enlarged," he said after the lesson.

The deputy president said it was encouraging that pupils at Soshanguve Technical had registered a high pass rate in mathematics and science, thereby obtaining the position of second best school in those subjects in Gauteng.

His visit was prompted by the declining matric pass rate at some schools in Soshanguve.

Soshanguve Technical only obtained an 38percent pass rate last year but according to the regional department of education the poor results could be attributed to children with learning problems being referred to Soshanguve Technical since it was a trade school.

Motlanthe said there was a need for role players in education to come up with solutions to incorporate a curriculum that included technical skills.

His next stop was at Memezelo High School. The school, described as being a problem school, has been obtaining poor pass rates.

The regional department of education attributed the results to poor management.

A new principal has now been appointed.

A dirt road leads to the school. At the gate overgrown grass greets you as the path continues to the school's administration block.

Pupils in maroon-and-white school uniforms waited patiently at the assembly point for the deputy president to speak to them. They whistled and clapped when he took to the podium.

"You must be disciplined . and concentrate on your lessons. This is your obligation, other issues are secondary," he told them. - Sapa

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