Pupils from struggling under-resourced schools rise to the top

JOHANNESBURG - While some South African schools boast of being equipped with cutting-edge technology and advanced laboratories, many in rural areas are grappling with the bare minimum.

In the deep villages of Thohoyandou, Limpopo, the dream of accessing high-speed equipment remains out of reach

For these pupils, a classroom, a desk, and a chair are often the only tools available to pursue their education.

This was a reality that 17-year-old  Phathutshedzo Mudzanani a pupil from Fhatuwani Secondary School in Malavuwe Village had to come to terms with when he was in matric in 2024.

He told eNCA that the school had limited resources and sometimes had to borrow language textbooks from neighbouring schools.

For practicals, they relied on videos to guide them.

But this did not stop Mudzanani from persisting and working hard.

It was his commitment despite the odds that he was now among the top achievers hosted by the Department of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube ahead of the 2024 matric results release.

The breakfast session held in Randburg saw at least 39 pupils across different schools in South Africa being celebrated ahead of the matric results release.

Mudzani said even though his school was under resources teachers went the extra mile to make sure that pupils were up to date with the curriculum.

In other cases, Mudzani said he relied on the school's previous top achievers to share their knowledge with him.

"There were times I was demotivated but my parents were there to pull me through," he said.

Mudzani plans to venture into Computer Science at Wits University.

Another pupil also from an under-resourced school in Limpopo, Bohlale Makhura, 18, from Sinthumele Secondary School near Makhado, said his school is a quantile two and would do practicals via a projector, but knew he had to put in the work to become a success.

" I had to be my own competitor. I also had to manage my time well" he said.

 

Makhura said he looks forward to pursuing his studies at Wits University where he will be studying actuarial science.

Before the breakfast Gwarube Basic praised the pupils for their resilience, noting they overcame the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to excel while some persevered through adverse challenges.

She emphasises that the government continues to put education first ensuring that pupils in South Africa have access to good quality education.

By Zandile Khumalo