Low pass rate attributed to lack of learning infrastructure

By Thandeka Matebesi

Villagers in Kana Ward 24 of Lupane have bemoaned the lack of proper learning infrastructure in local schools saying it is affecting the morale of both students and teachers, and, ultimately the pass rate.

Nkosini Khupe the Senior Programs and Information Officer for Rural Communities Empowerment Trust (RuCET) an organisation working with rural communities, said that, following one of its consultative meetings with the Lupane community recently, villagers expressed concern over the dilapidated learning facilities in local schools.

“We had gone to Kana in ward 24 in Lupane to discuss some of the challenges that people are facing, and the issue of access to education was one of the main issues. The state of infrastructure at a school called Mqabuko Primary School is deplorable. Some of the classrooms are cottages, while there are new cottages some have been using the old cottages. When we spoke to one of the officials at the school he said the pass rate was very low, and from the previous year the pass rate was at 10 percent. During the discussions we established that the pass rate was low due to various factors. Chief among the factors is the lack of adequate infrastructure which has demotivated a lot of teachers from attending or working. Some teachers were actually staying in those mud cottages and most of them have not been lasting two months at the school because of the dire conditions. The students would then suffer and spend quite a long time, close to a term without teachers which then causes them to fail and in turn the pass rate falls,” said Khupe.

Khupe also added that children are forced to walk long distances to access education at facilities which are not up to standard which led to loss of interest in education.

“Other issues include the distance walked to where the schools are located. Children are walking long distances to access schools which are not up to standard. There is also a concern that since schools are opening this month, there will be a challenge of accommodating all the students. There are some who normally learn outside so when the rains come students will be forced to share the little space available. The rains will also worsen the plight of children who will be travelling long distances to access schools,” he said.

He also said that the community is appealing to the authorities to prioritise infrastructural development in schools so as to motivate teachers to teach.

“Poor infrastructure in schools in Mat North is contributing immensely to low pass rates. There is need for the government and local authority to invest in infrastructure so that teachers are able to stay in schools and children can access proper education as it is their constitutional right. The community is appealing to the authorities to prioritise the construction of proper learning facilities such as teachers’ accommodation and classrooms so that teachers can be motivated to stay and continue teaching. Children should be able to fully enjoy their constitutional right,” said Khupe. 

Khupe added: “We also have concerns at Tshonkwe Primary school where the state of the infrastructure is resulting in low morale.