In an environment where gangs, violence and substance abuse affect schooling, pupils at a Kariega school saw a shift in mindset in 2023 with their matric pass rate more than doubling from the previous year.
This attitude towards school, coupled with the school having a full staff complement of teachers for the first time in years, along with the support from their community, saw McCarthy Comprehensive School increase its matric pass rate from 37% in 2022 to 77.6% in 2023.
The more than 40 percentage point increase saw McCarthy achieve the biggest improvement across schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay teaching district.
“There was a very positive vibe at our school,” principal Louis Jansen said.
“Pupils paid more attention to school work and staff showed dedication, providing these children with the best possible teaching.
“It all contributed to the success of last year’s matric class and we hope to see it repeated in 2024.”
He said pupils showed a willingness to sacrifice time to attend support programmes, such as weekend study camps, as well as focused study classes after hours and during holidays.
“Our pupils also took part in any enrichment programmes the government offered, even initiatives offered at other schools.
“It saw us build good relationships with our neighbouring schools and enjoy the support from the broader community.”
Deputy principal for academics Melissa Harris agreed that the overall attitude at the school was an overwhelming factor.
“We saw great relationships form among our pupils. Kids were supporting and motivating each other, helping those who were struggling and uplifting the whole group in the process.”
Harris said there would always be room for improvement, but she was happy with the overall performance.
Pass rates in geography and technical subjects were some of the best the school had seen in some time.
On the other hand, life sciences needed more attention and would be one of the focus areas for the 2024 matrics.
While the principal and his deputies heaped praise on the community for its support, chair of the school’s governing body, Clive Buys, said none of this would have been possible without the school’s dedicated staff and teachers.
“We have to praise our teachers and staff complement. Despite the conditions outside the school walls — challenges like substance abuse and gangs and violence — the staff proved their commitment and now the pupils are picking the fruits of their efforts.”
He said members of the school governing body, non-teaching staff and other community members had assisted where they could.
While some helped prepare meals during study camps, others assisted with security for the school, especially during holidays and after hours when staff members worked late and made themselves vulnerable to criminal elements.
Buys agreed community involvement was a big factor in the school’s increased success in 2023, but the governing body encouraged more support, especially from parents if they wanted to see more improvement in 2024.
“We saw the difference it made in just one year. Imagine where this school can be if this trend keeps going and we see more parents take a keen interest in their children’s schooling,” Buys said.
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