MOST people are not employed because they do not have the skills which make them employable.
So said Ikhala Technical Vocational Education and Training chief executive officer Advocate Ntozelizwe Tom , who was the guest speaker at the pre-exam JZC Ncevu Memorial Congregation ceremony at Mlungisi on Sunday.
The career programme for grade 9 to 11 pupils has been hosted by the church for the past 20 years.
Tom said churches played a pivotal role in the education system and urged church leaders to stand their ground by defining their own voice in society.
September 2016: YOU CAN DO THIS: Ikhala Technical Vocational Education and Training chief executive officer Advocate Ntozelizwe Tom speaks at the pre-exam motivational service for matriculants in Komani Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
“Today when churches rise up to speak out against the corruption of political leaders, they are told their place is in the pulpit.”
The church can not be silent, he said. “You must get up and say it is not enough to receive a 33% pass rate in township schools – when are we going to get 100%?”
Tom said teachers abused the power of unions to do as they pleased, saying they attended memorial services during working hours.
“When I was a teacher, it was the norm for pupils to invade the principal’s office to report a teacher not doing their work.”
Tom encouraged pupils to be self-motivated and not to disappoint their parents.
“When you go to school your whole family goes to school, you represent your poor mother who sacrificed emotionally and financially to get you there.”
