INLSA
Aspiring neuro-surgeon Simphiwe Ngwenya, from Menzi High School, is one of the pupils who can be found in a maths, science or physics class hosted by various schools in Durban during weekends and school holidays. PICTURE: Doctor Ngcobo
It is 7.30 on Saturday morning, the first day of the Easter holidays, but at a high school in Umlazi, teens in full school uniform are clamouring for desk space rather than sleeping in at home.
To bag as many distinctions as possible come the time to sit for the National Senior Certificate, nearly 300 grade 11 and 12 pupils will spend the next five hours being taught extra maths, physics and English lessons.
The same pupils, from various schools including Umlazi Comtech and Grosvenor Girls’ High, will be back, books out, today and tomorrow at host school Velabahleke High.
Although other schools in Umlazi also host the Saturday classes, Velabahleke’s reputation for producing matrics with as many as eight As make it a popular choice.
“One of our ex school members is going to Cuba to study to become a doctor. Another got a bursary. We want to do the same,” matrics Nonkululeko Nhleko and Nobuhle Phungula from Vukuzakhe High said, all smiles. “One (Vukuzakhe pupil) got 94 percent in English, the highest in Umlazi,” they said proudly.
At the desk alongside the girls sits Simphiwe Ngwenya, from Menzi High, an aspiring neuro-surgeon.
“I know it’s going to take hard work and dedication. And another 12 years of studying,” he said.
He said he achieved three distinctions last year, and five in the first term of this year, but when asked whether he really needed the extra lessons he said: “If I tell myself I’m (too) smart (to attend), I’m losing out on knowledge.”
