Concern over poor IsiNdebele pass rate in Matabeleland

Moyo urged schools in the region to take IsiNdebele seriously as it affected pupils’ chances of getting places at universities.
“May I urge provincial education directors and teachers who are here to teach IsiNdebele seriously. At Nust, we have met pupils from this region who have shocking results in IsiNdebele.
“The university has faculties that accommodate pupils with arts subjects but many of our pupils fail to get places in these courses because of low points, especially in IsiNdebele,” said Mr Moyo.
“You find someone with good points in                          other subjects yet having the lowest points in IsiNdebele. Our children should maximise their points on this subjects like their counterparts in other regions.”
Contacted for comment Matabeleland                          North provincial education director Mrs          Boithatelo Mnguni agreed that the quality of IsiNdebele passes in her province was lower than other subjects.
This is despite the fact that IsiNdebele is predominantly a mother tongue in the province.
“Pupils just need to take the subject seriously by reading Ndebele literature and developing language skills.
“Most pupils and teachers take the subject for granted yet there is a need to develop interest in reading Ndebele books and teaching the subject properly for them to pass,” said Mrs Mnguni.
However, her Matabeleland South counterpart Mrs Tumisang Thabela said IsiNdebele was one of the subjects that pupils were doing well.
“Although IsiNdebele is not spoken by all people in the province, most pupils perform very well in it and the quality of passes would be good,” said Mrs Thabela.
Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo could not be reached for comment.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart is on record expressing concern over poor IsiNdebele passes, especially by former Group A schools.
Some people have attributed the development to shortage of qualified Ndebele teachers in the province.