Intsingizi Combined School in Bizana hosts emotional sendoff for final Grade 9 learners as school transitions to primary school, sparking mixed emotions among staff and students. It was also a send-off of grade 7 and 8 on Monday but they were not present at school for Thursday’s send-off.
Intsingizi Combined School at Kwa Nikhwe Location in Bizana, has officially bid farewell to its last Grade 9 class, marking the end of an era for the school. This turning point marks the school’s transition to a primary school, no longer offering Grades 8 and 9.
Principal Mr. M Daza expressed his mixed emotions about the change, stating, “This day signifies a very important event as we send off our Grade 9 learners, who have finished writing their exams and will proceed to high school next year.” However, he also expressed concerns about the impact on enrollment numbers, saying,
“I’m not happy at all because there will be more redeployment and the number will decrease.”
To mitigate this, Mr. Daza plans to employ marketing tactics to attract more learners and maintain the school’s performance and pass rates. He hopes to achieve this through collaborations with local newspapers like Pondoland Times.
Amyoli Mditshwa, the school’s 14-year-old SRC president, reflected on her leadership experience, saying, “It proved that leadership is not only reserved for men, but women can enter into leadership roles at any age in life.”
Veteran teacher and deputy principal Mr. H.Q Mfuntane advised the learners to carry the school’s teachings with them as they embark on their high school journey. “It’s exciting to see learners grow into adulthood, becoming career professionals, assuring us as teachers that we did a good job.”
Mfuntane emphasized the importance of community involvement in education, stating, “Education has three important components: the parent, the teacher, and the learner.” In a country facing high unemployment, celebrating the learners’ achievements brings hope for a brighter future.
As the school transitions, the community wishes the departing learners well in their future endeavors.
