By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said, it is important to assimilate well-deserving learners and the most improved schools across Taung. Gaoraelwe held Mayoral Excellence Awards at PH Mooketsi Agricultural School in Taung, where he awarded the Top 10 learners.
“This is the concept from the municipality’s office of the mayor. So, we saw it necessary to reward excellence and recognise the Top 10 learners across Taung. We are even recognising the most improved schools in terms of merits.
“We are doing this necessarily because we want to encourage other schools. Over and above, we believe in education and that’s the whole purpose. This is an annual event and ever since the inception of the new administration, this is for the second time hosting this initiative,” he said.
Gaoraelwe further said the Top 10 learners will receive bursaries, laptops, and printers. He added, apart from that, there were some service providers who partnered with them and allocated R2000 to each learner.
“There are top schools that have performed well and we are awarding them certificates and trophies. I cannot really quantify how much the municipality has spent on this initiative, but what I know is that, the Top 10 learners will receive laptops, while the Top 3 learners will receive laptops and printers including R10 000 cash,” said Gaoraelwe.
The Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Petrus Meyer said, it is important to celebrate the hard work of these learners. Meyer said, as the district, they are now targeting a 100% pass rate.
“We believe that a 100% pass rate is possible through monitoring, support, and efficient management. Remember, in the past, we targeted 85%. However, from 2023 onwards, we are now targeting 100%.
“Mostly, all circuits performed well and there is an improvement. As the district, when the school received 60%, we rendered that as underperforming. Our standard is, schools should get 70% above,” he said.
Tlotlo Kgolobe from PH Mooketsi Agricultural School was recognised as the best performer. Kgolobe received the awards for overall top best performer in Taung, and top best performer for Life Science, Mathematics, and Agriculture Science subjects.
He was followed by a learner from Jerry Mahura High School in Dryharts village, Renaleone Olifant.
Kgolobe said: “I come from a humble beginning in Mamashokwane Section in Modimong village, near Taung. I was raised by a single mother, Marble Kgolobe, and received enormous support from my aunt and uncle Mogomotsi and Bonifa Kgopodimetsi.
“So, I am intending to study Aeronautical engineering at Witwatersrand University. I always took my studies seriously, so that encouraged me to do well. I was always disciplined, dedicated, and determined in my work and ensured that I mastered each and every unit and chapter the teachers taught us.”
He also encouraged those who did not make it not to despair, but to work harder. Kgolobe said this is not the end of the journey for them and there are still other opportunities out there.
“Just know that you have a lot of potential in you and your destiny lies in the palm of your hands. To the Class of 2022, please go out there and work hard. Kindly put everything in your school work and that will yield positive results,” he said.
Various schools like Walter Letsie, Thusoetsile and Pudimoe High Schools received awards as the most improved schools.
The Guardian 