MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi and learners of Maqhawuzela Combined School.
As the new academic year gains momentum, the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Khethiwe Moeketsi, visited Maqhawuzela Combined School in Ward 18, Tjakastad.
The visit, part of the provincial Back-to-School Programme, served as a powerful call to action for the community to prioritise education, discipline, and environmental responsibility.
The engagement was not merely a formal oversight visit but a collaborative gathering that brought together learners, educators, parents, and local community members.
The primary objective was clear: to reinforce a robust culture of teaching and learning from day one.
A Call for discipline and re-engagement
During her address, Moeketsi placed a strong emphasis on learner discipline and the necessity of consistent school attendance. A key focus of the visit was the outreach to “at-risk” students, including:
Motivating poor-performing learners to seek assistance and strive for improvement. Re-integrating dropouts, encouraging those who have left the system to return and complete their education.
Moeketsi sent a firm message to parents, urging them to move beyond the side-lines and take active responsibility for their children’s daily educational development. “Success in the classroom begins with support at home, the department noted, highlighting the need for parents to monitor homework and attendance closely.
Cultivating sustainability: Food gardens and trees
Merging her departmental mandate with educational needs, Moeketsi championed the concept of holistic learner support. To promote food security and environmental stewardship, the visit included:
The establishment of a school food garden, designed to provide fresh produce for the school and teach learners practical agricultural skills.
The planting of trees to improve the school’s environmental footprint and provide much-needed shade and greenery.
These initiatives are intended to ensure that schools are not just centers of academic theory, but hubs of practical sustainability and nutrition.
Strengthening Governance: The QLTC Sub-Committee
To ensure the visit results in long-term change rather than short-term inspiration Moeketsi announced a new governance milestone.
“We set in motion the establishment of a Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) Sub-Committee, which will play a key role in monitoring learner attendance, performance, and retention,” the Moeketsi said.
The Sub-Committee is expected to be fully functional by February 28.
This body will act as a bridge between the school, parents, and community stakeholders, ensuring that the goals of improved academic performance and learner retention are met through constant collaboration and local oversight.
