Deputy Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, embarked on the Government Back to School Campaign at Batandwa Ndondo Senior Secondary School, Cala, recently.
To ensure that she fulfils her plan, she hosted a career expo that was attended by learners who were coming from local Senior Secondary Schools in that area.
She was accompanied by the deputy minister for Basic Education, Reginah Mhaule.
The campaign aimed at encouraging and motivating learners, educators, and parents as they steady themselves to negotiate the academic year and promote collaboration among stakeholders in pursuit of improving teaching and learning.
Nkabane said that it was always an honour and privilege for her to engage with young people.
She stated that the reality of the matter was that one of the effective ways of ensuring that young people meaningfully contribute to a sustainable future of any nation is through education.
“Over the last 30 years, millions of young people have benefited from government programmes that seek to build a nation of skilled, informed, and resilient young people, despite the transport-related challenges faced by many children in far-flung areas, some of which are from this province.
“I am certain that many of you can attest that government has done well in the expansion of, and support for, Early Childhood Care.
“I can assure you that government will continue to effect improvements in this area,” said Nkabane.
She added that they were joined by several experts in various career fields who are ready to equip them with the necessary information.
According to her, they were also ready to empower them to meet their daily challenges boldly, creatively and efficiently.
“We are blessed with expansive hectares of agricultural land and economic coastline; the Eastern Cape stands a good chance of becoming not only the largest food producer in the country but also South Africa’s energy hub. This province is one of the poorest and most under-developed provinces in the country, yet its coastline is blessed with a plethora of petroleum resources, which must be exploited for the benefit of the people of South Africa.”
She added that notwithstanding the continued resistance against development by foreign funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who continue to pit development against environmental need, government remains steadfast in its resolve to create space for development as this will help them to create the much-needed jobs and ultimately eradicate poverty and inequality.
Nkabane said that success in this regard will require them to promote programmes that seek to encourage young people to take science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and make future career choices that are aligned with the development of the province.
The acting Circuit Management Centre (CMC) manager, Mlungisi Bokveld, confirmed that learners benefited a lot from this programme.
He said that learners who attended were Grades 10 and 11 learners only.
“It was very informative and all the stakeholders were there, and learners were given all the information they needed when making their choices,” said Bokveld.
He confirmed that among the schools who were there was Batandwa Ndondo Senior Secondary School, AM Mzantsi Senior Secondary School, Mazibuko Senior Secondary School, DM Skosana Senior Secondary School, Cala Senior Secondary School, Cala Village, L Jentile Senior Secondary School and Masikhuthale Senior Secondary School.
