Principal interview
1. What ideas or hopes do you have for the coming 10 years for Mweshipandeka?
I hope that within ten (10) years from now this school will become one of the top schools in the country. I hope that in five (5) to ten (10) years our HIGCSE intake will be doubled or even tripled for all subjects. Currently our HIGCSE intake is very low and it is my wish to do something about it. I think that the school also needs some renovation and to be repainted. A good environment is also conducive for teaching and learning.
2. How do you feel about the teacher/student relationship?
The Learner-Teacher relationship is quite satisfactory. I think it is open and learners are always encouraged to speak their minds and they are always consulted on decisions affecting them. We have the Learners Representative Council (LRC) which acts as a link between the learners and teachers. Learners are also represented on the School board by some LRC's.
3. What does it take to get to your position?
You need to have proper and relevant qualifications and to work hard. Being a principal requires that you have to work with different people from different backgrounds and different expectations and behavior. You have to try and satisfy everyone which is not possible. So, it takes a lot of hard work, planning, and thinking to be a principal.
4. Tell us about how you organize events and everyday tasks.
I work through various committees which are made up of teachers and learners. If there is an event to be organized I always establish a committee and then they are given their job description and off it goes. I always liaise with the chairperson of the committee to ask about the progress and offer advice if needed. I also make use of my Head of Departments (HOD) to run the school on a daily basis. The school management, LRC and hostel management are also involved in the daily administration of the school
5. Are you thinking of doing any type of upgrading or renovating of the school?
Yes. Since the inception of the school in 1983, no renovation has been done. Therefore there is a need for renovation at least to repaint as stated earlier. Furthermore we are planning to renovate the fence, possibly put a wall up (if funds allow) on the side of Zola Complex. That complex is a bit of a disturbance, especially in the evening and close to the fence. Furthermore we also want to renovate or upgrade the fence at the entrance. The hostels also need some renovation, especially the boys blocs. We have already embarked with renovations i.e. taps, lockers, beds, but the N$1700 which is paid for the hostel maintenance is too little to carry out a major renovation. Our kitchen also needs some renovation and we submitted a request to the ministry and we hope that they will accommodate our request for the 2005/2006 financial year.
6. Do you feel that the teachers are trying to help students pass or just want a reason to be paid. In other words, do the teachers find money more important than their students or the other way around?
I'm not sure, but I think it is a combination of both. Some teacher love their job and do I as a "labor of love". Others maybe do it for the money. I think the latter are in the minority in this school It's very tricky. It's like an egg and chicken situation. Which one was first?
7. In Mweshipandeka less people are doing HIGSCE, while more learners are doing core and extended. What are your plans in order to increase the number of people doing HIGSCE.
First of all we need to have good, experienced and committed teachers. Then I think we can increase the intake for HIGSCE (see #1). If we want good results in the HIGCSE, then we need to work hard, even in the afternoons. I think teachers and learners have to develop that working mentality. Then we can have more learners for HIGCSE.
8. How do you manage the school.
See #4
9. What changes did you bring to Mweshipandeka? What new ideas do you have for Mweshipandeka and how do you think they help the school?I think the organizational culture has changed for the better. Teaches and learners are now more serious with their studies and the results are gradually improving. The physical appearance of the school has also changed for the better. We have introduced some ideas to motivate our learners, i.e. prize awards, science fairs. I think our recognition of effort and rewards will have a positive impact on the results.
