90% matric pass rate for PMB suffering school

Most pupils at Siqongweni Secondary School in Imbali,

Pietermaritzburg, have no desks and chairs while others sit on upturned buckets or on the floor.

Despite the circumstances, more than 90% of the school’s matrics passed last year.

Principal Johannes Dlamini said the school has been consistent in their results, with matric pass rates of 95% in 2014, 83% in 2015 and just over 90% in 2016.

Dlamini said last year they managed to buy chairs for learners, but most of them were stolen and that this year they are trying to raise money to buy desks.

After some items were stolen last year, the school governing body managed to raise money to build a fence around the school property.

They also raised money for mobile toilets because the toilets inside the school were broken, did not flush and had no doors.

Dlamini said they sharpen their learners as early as Grade 8, adding that everyone in Grade 12 deserves to be there and that is why they are raising the flag regardless of their misfortunes.

Last year, 79% of Grade 8 pupils got through to Grade 9, 85% of Grade 9s got through to Grade 10, 74% of Grade 10s got through to Grade 11, and 70% of Grade 11s got into Grade 12.