In a triumph of perseverance, the fortunes of one of what used to be one of Grahamstown's weakest schools are steadily turning around.
In a triumph of perseverance, the fortunes of one of what used to be one of Grahamstown's weakest schools are steadily turning around.
In the 2012 matric results, only 28% of Ntsika Secondary School matric candidates passed.
In 2013 the school obtained a 62.3% pass rate.
This year, it's an impressive 81%, with more than half the class qualifying to study for a Bachelor's degree at University.
Principal Madeleine Schoeman says the school's 2014 matric success is an argument against subject streaming and specialisation. Expressing deep gratitude and pride at the school's 2014 Grade 12 results, Schoeman said they had achieved an 81% pass rate with 55% of the class receiving a Bachelor or Diploma Pass.
"Thank you, Grahamstown!" Schoeman said. Ntsika matriculant Ntsikelelo Charles is the top performer in the district from disadvantaged schools.
With 94% in Physical Sciences, 88% in Life Sciences and 82% in Mathematics, Ntsikelelo is the recipient of a Square Kilometre Array (SKA) bursary and will be studying towards a BSc at Rhodes.
Anelisa Valela received four distinctions: isiXhosa Home Language, Life Orientation, Life Sciences and Tourism. She will also register for a BSc at Rhodes.
"There are many reasons for the increase, but I will highlight a few," Schoeman said. "The 2014 grade 12 class and teachers started putting in extra effort from day one. The results reflect the teamwork of the Grahamstown community – from the learners who taught one another, to the teachers who went the extra mile, District Officials who gave extra lessons, Rhodes University departments and individuals, the business sector, other schools and NGOs. The list just carries on."
Schoeman said it was good to see pupils from other schools studying at Ntsika, just as it was good to see Ntsika pupils having the confidence to study at other schools and in outside programmes.
"It is good to have parents who support us in our after-hours programmes, just as it is good to have teachers and outsiders willing to help our learners after hours," Schoeman said.
"Ntsika brings people together and in the process, many opportunities are created for our learners and staff. Our challenge is to create enabling conditions so that we use those opportunities to the benefit of everyone.
"This remains very difficult, but our results show we are on the right track."
Schoeman said the 2014 success was a strong argument against subject streaming and specialisation – "that is, having a commerce or science or general stream in one's school.
"We have a well-balanced subject choice that allows flexibility and balanced class sizes."
Previously, learners were locked into a stream from Grade 10. To escape from a subject stream in Grade 11, a learner would have to change 3 or 4 subjects.
"This is impossible as it is against national policies," Schoeman explained. "It would be interesting to study the negative effect of subject streaming on matric pass rates, as I do believe it is hardly acknowledged."
