Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe has called for the arrest of learners who would be found loitering during school hours in school uniform.
This is after the Mpumalanga Provincial Government deployed MECs from all the departments to various schools to motivate learners and teachers and also come up with solutions to challenges that affect learning and teaching in schools.
Shongwe said that it was irresponsible for learners to hang around during school hours in uniform.
"We will arrest children who will be found in wrong places during school hours. We will also arrest those who are underage yet they go to shebeens and taverns. Government spends a lot of money towards education while learners spend time focusing on other things not related to their studies," said Shongwe.
Out of the schools Shongwe visited, E. S Malele Secondary School and Ben Mathlosa High School were amongst the schools that did not perform well in grade 12, in the year 2010.
During discussions with the principals of the schools, MEC Shongwe was told that one of the reasons that caused the schools to underperform was that of witchcraft.
The principals said that the learners did not trust each other, and they believed that there are learners within the schools who are bewitching them. They alleged that in some of the school days, some learners collapse and get confused after recovering.
Shongwe said it was unfortunate because such external issues influenced the learning of children hence the low pass rate of learners. He appealed to the learners to refrain from witchcraft issues and focus on their studies.
He also called on teachers and parents to support learners to make sure that they attend classes and that learners must support each other and form study groups to improve their results.
A 2011 grade 12 learner from Lehlasedi High School, Leah Malapane told MEC Shongwe that they were privileged to be motivated at the beginning of the academic year.
She pleaded with the MEC to always support and motivate them. She also promised the MEC on behalf of the other grade 12 learners that they will do better and get a 100% pass this year, improving from 71.9%.
Meanwhile, Shongwe called for support from the municipality to assist schools with logistical needs such as water, and grass cutting equipments. He said such resources will enable the running of schools to be normal and conducive for the teaching and learning.
Shongwe also congratulated the Lehlasedi High School and the Mosipa Secondary School for their grade 12 performance in year 2010 and also promised to present an award to the Casteel Education Circuit for outclassing the rest in the Bohlabelo Region.