Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for education to focus not only on academic achievement, but also on building the character of learners.
Dlamini made the call when he addressed the Sifundzani High School 30th Anniversary and Speech and Prize Giving Day at the Tsembankulunkulu Hall on Friday.
He said education was more than earning certificates, as it also involved shaping the minds and character of learners.
“We must ask not only what our children know, but who they are becoming,” said Dlamini.
He said the country needed young people with knowledge, courage and character, who understand that leadership is about service.
The PM said integrity should be taught early and practised daily.
“We must reject corruption, dishonesty, injustice and the abuse of power, and we must teach transparency, accountability, responsibility and moral courage,” he said.
Dlamini said these values were not learnt from books alone, as children also learnt from what they saw.
He, therefore, called on parents, teachers and leaders to be examples of the values they wanted children to follow.
The PM also said Sifundzani High School should prepare learners for a changing world, particularly through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
He said young people should be able to think, create, innovate and compete while remaining humble, compassionate and responsible.
Addressing the learners directly, Dlamini urged them to take pride in who they were and said their worth was not measured by fashion, wealth, appearance or applause.
He encouraged them to respect their bodies, families, culture and country, while avoiding harmful company and dangerous habits.
“Your health and your future are precious, so choose wisely,” he said.
Dlamini also urged learners to listen to their parents and teacher’s advice and remain focused on their education and future.
He congratulated learners who received prizes for academic excellence, sport, leadership and other achievements, saying the awards showed what discipline, effort and perseverance yields.
However, he told those who did not receive awards not to be discouraged.
“A prize is not the measure of your destiny and your story is still being written,” he said.
The PM encouraged learners to work hard, remain focused and make use of the opportunities available to them at school.
He also urged them not to fear failure or difficulties, but to learn from failure and allow difficulties to strengthen them.
Dlamini said the future of Sifundzani was a shared responsibility between learners, parents, teachers, the governing body and administrators.
He called on parents to remain active partners in the education of their children, while teachers should continue to inspire and shape young minds.
He further urged the governing body and administrators to protect the integrity of the institution and ensure that governance remained focused on excellence.
Sifundzani High School marked 30 years of what Dlamini described as learning, service, sacrifice and achievement.
He said the school had been founded on a vision of providing education of the highest quality and urged those responsible for the institution to preserve what had been built over the years.
“Let each generation lay its own stone upon the foundation, so that we leave Sifundzani stronger, wiser and better prepared for the years ahead,” he said.
Dlamini thanked the founders, former teachers, governing bodies, parents, alumni, partners and learners who had contributed to the school’s journey over the past 30 years.
He called on the school to continue producing people of knowledge and character, professionals of competence and integrity, citizens who love their country and leaders who understand service.
