In pursuit of a smooth academic year, the Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana together with various Members of the Executive Council (MECs) lead a two-day (17 -18 January 2024) school readiness back-to-school campaign in the province to support learners, parents and educators.
Dukwana, MECs, Heads of Departments and District Directors were deployed in different regions of the province where they handed over school shoes, stationery, school uniforms and school bags to deserving learners.
The Director-General in the office of the Premier, Kopung Ralikontsane says the main aim of these visits was to motivate the learners and to give them pillars of wisdom on how to succeed in their educational journey.
He said the role of the officials was to encourage learners, parents and educators to work together to get the best results throughout the academic year. He added that the visits were also to monitor the readiness of the schools and the challenges that schools may be facing during this time of the year.
“We have noted that schools are ready to accommodate the young people and we are proud to say it is all systems go. We’ve also noted the crime and vandalism that happens at our schools, committed by members of the communities. “We are in talks with the South African Police Services about this problem and we are hopeful that the perpetrators of these kinds of crimes in schools will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Leading the campaign, Dukwana visited ZR Mahabane Comprehensive and Lerato Primary Schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District in Qwaqwa.
While addressing the learners, teachers and parents, Dukwana strongly encouraged parents to support children in their educational activities, urging them to play an active role in shaping the lives of their children.
“Sadly, as parents, we have neglected our responsibilities, and this has given room to some unethical and unacceptable behaviour among our children. Let us raise caring and hardworking people who will be of great service to our nation,” said the Premier.
Some of the other schools where officials were deployed to include Kaelang Secondary School, Lekhulong Secondary School and Caleb Motshabi Primary School in the Motheo District in Bloemfontein where the province’s MEC of education, Makalo Mohale visited.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture and Recreation Limakatso Mahasa visited Dr Cingo and Ngwathe Secondary schools in the Fezile Dabi District, while the MEC for Small Business Development Thabo Meeko was at Rehauetswe Secondary in Viljoenskroon and MEC for Health Mathabo Leeto visited Lehakwe and Rheederspark Primary Schools in Lejweleputswa District in Welkom.
He said the role of the officials was to encourage learners, parents and educators to work together to get the best results throughout the academic year. He added that the visits were also to monitor the readiness of the schools and the challenges that schools may be facing during this time of the year.
“We have noted that schools are ready to accommodate the young people and we are proud to say it is all systems go. We’ve also noted the crime and vandalism that happens at our schools, committed by members of the communities. “We are in talks with the South African Police Services about this problem and we are hopeful that the perpetrators of these kinds of crimes in schools will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Leading the campaign, Dukwana visited ZR Mahabane Comprehensive and Lerato Primary Schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District in Qwaqwa.
While addressing the learners, teachers and parents, Dukwana strongly encouraged parents to support children in their educational activities, urging them to play an active role in shaping the lives of their children.
“Sadly, as parents, we have neglected our responsibilities, and this has given room to some unethical and unacceptable behaviour among our children. Let us raise caring and hardworking people who will be of great service to our nation,” said the Premier.
Some of the other schools where officials were deployed to include Kaelang Secondary School, Lekhulong Secondary School and Caleb Motshabi Primary School in the Motheo District in Bloemfontein where the province’s MEC of education, Makalo Mohale visited.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture and Recreation Limakatso Mahasa visited Dr Cingo and Ngwathe Secondary schools in the Fezile Dabi District, while the MEC for Small Business Development Thabo Meeko was at Rehauetswe Secondary in Viljoenskroon and MEC for Health Mathabo Leeto visited Lehakwe and Rheederspark Primary Schools in Lejweleputswa District in Welkom.