Akhona Shange, Mandisa Maphumulo, Khwela Uyanda and Asanda Dube, from Sibusisiwe Comprehensive Tech High School, celebrate their sterling matric results with school principal Mzwakhe Duma. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
Durban: Sibusisiwe Comprehensive Technical High School in uMbumbulu credits a strong work ethic, long hours, and the commitment shown by the pupils, teachers and parents for its success after achieving another 100% matric pass rate.
The semi-rural school, south of Durban, said key to its success is completing its syllabus early, by mid-year each year, so it has the rest of the time for revision.
With 307 pupils enrolled, all passed, and about four pupils achieved eight distinctions each.
However, the number of pupils who achieved eight distinctions was lower compared to 2023, when it had eight pupils who achieved eight distinctions, said the school’s principal, Mzwakhe Duma.
“Our focus is on the quality of the passes; we are no longer concerned with the 100% pass rate as we have reached that level. Last year, we achieved the same,” said Duma.
“I am quite disappointed with the number of pupils that achieved eight distinctions, we got 50% less than what we did last year. I believe that the main reason was that we did not have adequate resources for the revision work, and that affected us badly.”
Duma noted that there were several pupils who received seven As, which indicated that if they had adequate resources, they could have performed much better.
Despite this, Duma expressed satisfaction with the overall outcome. “When I heard how well we have done, I was pleased. I thank the teachers who are committed to the school and are here seven days a week. These teachers are dedicated.”
“I want to thank the parents who are very involved in the school, including the chair of the school governing body,” said Duma.
Speaking about the effort that went into achieving such results, Duma said, “We are here seven days a week, and we ensure that there is no absenteeism. We have dedicated days for mathematics and science.
“We work to ensure that all the syllabus work is completed by June so that the rest of the year is reserved for revision. We receive and write past papers, which helps to identify and address any challenges we encounter,” he said.
Pupils at the school expressed their excitement about the results. Akhona Shange said she is going to study medicine at the University of Pretoria.
“I am pleased about my results; we worked hard with the teachers. Anything that I did not understand, they were there to help me.”
Asanda Dube also plans to study medicine, at the University of Cape Town. “I worked hard, and I really expected the results that I achieved. I thank my teachers and I thank God for the results I received.”
Mandisa Maphumulo was surprised at her success, saying she did not expect to achieve eight distinctions.
“It was difficult for me as I was doing my work and also helping other pupils prepare for their exams.”
Mandisa admitted that exhaustion had put her final exams at risk as it triggered a sleeping disorder.
“I was concerned because sometimes, before the final exams (writing tests during revision), I would just fall asleep while writing, and my thoughts would drift. I was really worried about that. During the exams, I made sure I worked through the paper as fast as I could in case that happened again,” she said.
Mandisa plans to enrol at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to study computer science or medicine.
Uyanda Khwela, who plans to study medicine at UKZN, said she worked very hard every day. She said she had been nervous about her results and she was happy she had done well.
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