Waterberg Education District: Progress, Challenges, and Plans for the Future

SchoolClick is keeping an eye on education developments around the globe, and recently, we’ve been following updates from the Department of Basic Education in South Africa. A recent tweet highlighted the work being done in the Waterberg Education District, offering a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of education in the region.

Mr Ngoako Alfred Masekela, the Acting District Director, delivered a comprehensive report on the state of education within Waterberg. The district encompasses the municipalities of Lephalale, Thabazimbi, Bela-Bela, and Modimolle-Mookgophong, a large and diverse area. Mr Masekela outlined the district’s educational infrastructure, which includes a substantial 139 primary schools, 56 secondary schools, 2 combined schools, and 20 independent schools. This wide range of schools reflects the commitment to providing education to learners throughout the Waterberg area.

The presentation also focused on the progress made in learner performance. Mr Masekela provided an overview of Grade 12 Bachelor passes from 2010 to 2024, as well as performance trends among Grades 8 and 9, showing real dedication to tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement.

Of course, challenges remain. These include the existence of small, non-viable schools, schools situated on farms (which can present access issues), and ongoing problems with admissions and overcrowding in certain areas. However, Mr Masekela emphasised that plans are firmly in place to address these issues and mitigate their impact on learners.

It’s encouraging to see the dedication and strategic thinking being applied to improve education in the Waterberg Education District. You can read the original tweet and see the Department of Basic Education’s full update here: https://x.com/DBE_SA/status/1963950011864990090. For more school news and updates, be sure to check out SchoolClick’s news section regularly!