A physical science teacher has attributed his success in obtaining a 100% pass rate to his ability to relate the subject to his pupils’ everyday experiences.
Phality Molatudi of Raymond Mhlaba Secondary School in Tshepisong, Soweto, said he had 36 pupils in his matric class. Only three of them scored less than 50% while 10 obtained distinctions.
With just four years of experience as a teacher, Molatudi said he has found effective ways that help pupils to better understand the subject.
“Physical science is a subject that links up with learners’ daily experiences. The problem with teachers is that we teach science as if it is a foreign language that learners have to adopt.
“However, physical science is an everyday learning experience for the learners...Learners must relate to the subject because once they do, they start to love the subject,” he said.
Molatudi said he has the same target every year, which is to ensure that everyone passes.
In his 2022 class, he had 15 pupils who were scoring less than 50% and he put extra effort to help them reach the pass threshold. This year, the target is the same.
Molatudi said he has to win the hearts of pupils by showing that he knows what he is doing.
“They must have that thinking that when they see you, they see a beacon of hope... You make sure that you prepare and not just stick to the curriculum but also give them questions that extend their knowledge. Once the learners understand that, they can all believe that they can get 100%,” he said.
Molatudi also forms smaller groups in his class where pupils can share ideas about the subject among themselves. This enables those who do not understand to learn from others. He also conducted afternoon classes and weekend lessons to get everyone on par with the subject content.
Over time all pupils knew that they had to pass well to fulfil their dreams.
“You should not normalise mediocracy. Do not commend a learner for getting 30%. You should always encourage them to do more to fulfil their dreams,” he said.
Raymond Mhlaba Secondary has never scored less than 96% in its pass rate.
The class of 2022 obtained a 99.4% pass rate, with 83.1% of the pupils getting a bachelor pass, the school’s highest mark ever. – dlaminip@sowetan.co.za
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