There are often 90 learners in class at Renaissance Secondary School in Musina, making teaching very difficult. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare
By Bernard Chiguvare – originally published on GroundUp
IN SUMMARY: Some classes at Musina secondary schools have up to 90 learners, making teaching very difficult.
- There are seven primary schools but only two no-fee secondary schools in Musina: Musina High and Renaissance High.
- Renaissance High has an average of 90 learners in its four grade 8 classes, while Musina High has around 50 learners in each of its eight classes.
- Kganetjo Moyo, chair of the Renaissance High School Governing Body, said the school is supposed to have 800 learners but currently has over 1,600.
- Some learners sit on the floor due to lack of space and overcrowding makes it hard for teachers to focus on each student.
- Norah Ndlovu, another SGB member, said the high teacher-to-learner ratio leads to a lower pass rate.
- Musina is a key entry point for immigrants, and many of their children add to the number of learners in local schools.
- Albert Musekwa, deputy SGB chair, urged the Limpopo Department of Education to address the shortage of secondary school places, noting some learners were unable to find spots for grade 8.
- Teachers face overwhelming workloads due to overcrowded classes, with one teacher stating they often work over weekends to keep up with marking.
- A matric learner at Renaissance High recalled being in a class of over 90 learners in grade 8, with teachers unable to give attention to all students.
- Mosebjane Kgaffe, spokesperson for the provincial education department, said parents could apply for fee exemptions at the third local secondary school, Hoerskool Eric Louw.
- However, parents interviewed were unaware of the exemption.
- Kgaffe claimed the department was not aware of the overcrowded classes and schools could request mobile classrooms, but the schools had not made such a request.
- Peter Jack, from the Musina School Association, said the department was informed 10 years ago about the need for more public secondary schools but nothing had been done.
- Learners without grade 8 spots often hang around spaza shops during school hours, which worries the local community.
- A Musina parent shared concerns that her child, out of school for two years, might never return, as they couldn’t secure a grade 9 place.
- She appealed to the department to urgently address the shortage of secondary schools.
