Mthokozisi Ncube
BARELY three weeks after B-Metro celebrated her return to the classroom, 15-year-old social media personality Patience Ncube, popularly known as Pertunia, is facing another uncertain chapter in her education, with difficulties in reading threatening to derail her school journey.
Pertunia, who dropped out of school in Grade Six because her family could no longer afford her education, had returned to the classroom after well-wishers stepped in to support her.
She is now doing Form One at Metanoia Science Academy, but her dream of continuing with formal education is once again hanging in the balance as she considers switching to vocational training.
In a video shared on her and social media personality Shammy Moyo’s accounts, Pertunia opened up about her struggles at school, revealing that reading difficulties were making learning challenging.
The teenager expressed interest in pursuing practical skills, including hair plaiting, raising questions about whether she will continue with her studies or take a different path.
Her possible withdrawal from school, however, has not been finalised, with consultations involving social welfare and her parents, who are back at her rural home, still pending.
For Pertunia, whose return to school had been celebrated as a fresh start after years of financial hardship, the latest development has sparked concern among those who rallied behind her.
Moyo, who has been supporting the teenager, told B-Metro that no final decision had been made about her education.
“Nothing has been finalised yet about Pertunia. I also want my viewers to understand that this is not content. What is happening to Pertunia is real, and I am asking the social media family, who have been parents to Pertunia, to help in this difficult time,” said Moyo.
The number of school days Pertunia has missed remains unconfirmed, although information shared online suggests that she may have been absent for about a week.
Her situation has triggered debate on social media, with some users questioning the vocational courses she hopes to pursue, while others have encouraged her to explore alternative routes to success.
Some of the people who sponsored her return to school have reportedly urged her to consult a professional before making a major decision about her future.
The discussion has also raised questions about how best to support a teenager who is struggling academically, particularly when reading difficulties are affecting her confidence and ability to cope in the classroom.
While vocational training could offer Pertunia an opportunity to develop practical skills, questions remain about whether her reading challenges have been properly assessed and what support could
help her continue with formal education.
For now, the teenager’s future remains uncertain as those supporting her await consultations with her parents and social welfare before a decision is made.
Barely weeks after her return to school offered hope of a new beginning, Pertunia’s story has become a reminder that getting a child back into the classroom may be only the first step — ensuring that the child receives the support needed to remain there is just as important.
