The matric class of 2021 at Steenberg High School has not only persevered through tough Covid times but showed their resilience and determination with an impressive 92,7% pass.
Western Cape Education Minister Debbie Schäfer said a number of schools achieved impressive pass rates in the 2021 academic year, including Steenberg High School which improved their pass rate by 26,2%.
“This is a large improvement, and impressive during a pandemic, and we congratulate all the schools who upped their game in challenging conditions.”
Riedewaan Gaffoor, the Grade 12 head of department at Steenberg high, said there were many hardships learners faced.
“I can tell you it was quite difficult; we went into the Grade 12 year already with a backlog in terms of getting the work done. Bear in mind they were at school only two to three days a week prior to Matric. “Now can you imagine the backlog we had in terms of content covered?” Gaffoor added that the matric results was a collective effort between teachers and learners.
“As a whole, all 152 kids played their part. Outside parties partnered up with our school to help with extra maths classes and a former retired teacher also helped with extra classes.
“I think they did very well and against all odds they persevered and came out tops.We were told it was unattainable but still we managed to prove people wrong.”
The matric learners had to be at school every day and received extra accounting, maths and life sciences classes.
School principal Isaac Arendse said the matriculants worked in tough times such as losing their Afrikaans teacher due to Covid.
“Last year we lost their Afrikaans teacher due to Covid and then we had to find a replacement for that teacher. I even had to go teach Afrikaans.
“Their physics teacher left because of ill health and their life orientation teacher was off sick for three weeks. Taking into account all those external factors impacting them, they still managed to produce, so yes I am elated and proud of the class of 2021.”
Arendse said with the support of teachers and parents the matrics excelled.
“Under the leadership of Mr Gaffoor they did well and they kept on motivating the learners. They were the determining factor in their destination and they lived up to that motto in terms of passing Grade 12. “I normally tell them ultimately educators and parents are there to support and if you listen to the circumstances they talk about at home, it is not always conducive.
“They have proved to us that even circumstances are not a deterrent, it depends on the individual. I am mighty proud of them.”
Top student Tauriq Khan (18) says while he was not at first interested in studying, he chose to improve himself as a means to get out of his violent neighbourhood.
“I have a very messy past at the school. I was in trouble a lot honestly, I had a rough attitude and circumstances at home.
“There was a lot going on where I live. I saw a lot of my friends get killed and it all played a part, but eventually the teachers at Steenberg high, after shouting and calling my parents in, kept believing in me. Eventually I just started knuckling down and started to focus on my future and I realised the only way I can get out of here is through doing what I do best. I studied really hard and I’m proud to have achieved what I achieved at school.”
Tauriq says his family was immensely proud of him.
“My mommy broke down in tears when she found out I was top student, they all knew I was good, but they didn’t believe in me.
“I just decided I am going to put my head down, focus on my books, leave my friends and everyone. And I must admit I was also shocked to find out the results, but I am proud of myself and my family is proud of me.”
He added that he plans to study BCom Financial Accounting at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) this year.
“I want to be a chartered accountant or I want to get all the degrees I can get in accounting and then I want to earn a big salary,” he chuckled.
His advice to this year’ matriculants is to start studying as soon as possible.
“Don’t wait until the finals, start studying from the word go. Just 20 minutes a day in the beginning and you will get the results.”
Zainab Khan (18) said she initially struggled to study from home.
“The Grade 11 year was very hard, I struggled a lot because I can’t work online from home, there are a lot of distractions like my younger sister.”
