The newly appointed North West education MEC, Dr Desbo Mohono, has told provincial education officials and contractors that she expects urgent progress on unresolved school infrastructure projects and swift attention to Grade 12 trial examinations.
Immediate focus on matric trials and infrastructure
Mohono was officially sworn in on 14 August, replacing Viola Motsumi, who has been moved from the provincial executive to serve as speaker of the North West Legislature. Premier Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi presided over the swearing-in.
Speaking after her appointment, Mohono said she would "hit the ground running" because the changes come at a sensitive time for learners preparing for their final year. She singled out the management of Grade 12 trial examinations and the province's long-standing infrastructure backlog as priorities.
“We are fully aware that these changes come at a time when the Grade 12s start writing their trial examinations. This is one of the tasks that I must hit the ground running immediately.”
She told officials and companies contracted to deliver services to the department that there would be no complacency. "I’m not going to fight anybody, I’m not going to fire anyone, but if people were relaxing, they must know there’s no time to relax," she said.
Concerns beyond bricks and mortar
Mohono said she would continue infrastructure work begun under her predecessor and pressed for improvements to sanitation and classroom availability, noting learners cannot be expected to study outdoors or attend schools without adequate toilets. She also raised a less visible but practical concern: the needs of left-handed learners, who she said are sometimes mocked or forced to use their right hands and who lack suitable equipment at some schools.
Her remarks were welcomed by parts of the province's education fraternity, which for years has highlighted dilapidated school buildings, classroom overcrowding and interrupted learning as major barriers to improving matric pass rates.
What Mohono has signalled so far
- Priority 1: Ensure Grade 12 trial examinations proceed smoothly with adequate invigilation and resources.
- Priority 2: Accelerate completion of outstanding school infrastructure projects, with attention to classrooms and sanitation.
- Priority 3: Address learner needs that are often overlooked, including equipment and support for left-handed learners.
Mohono said her experience as speaker of the provincial legislature had broadened her understanding of how government operates and will inform her oversight of the department.
Practical implications for schools, teachers and communities
For schools, the new MEC’s announcement places immediate pressure on principalships and district officials to confirm that trial exam timetables, venues and marking arrangements are in place. At many schools across the province, district offices will need to verify that repairs and sanitation projects are at workable stages or have contingency plans so learners are not disadvantaged during critical assessment periods.
For contractors and service providers doing business with the department, Mohono’s warning is a clear signal that delayed or stalled projects could face closer scrutiny. She said unfinished projects would require immediate attention but declined to outline punitive measures.
Small table of stated priorities and likely short-term actions
| Stated priority | Likely short-term action |
|---|---|
| Grade 12 trial examinations | Confirm venues, invigilators and exam materials; monitor progress |
| School infrastructure | Audit unfinished projects; expedite repairs to classrooms and sanitation |
| Support for left-handed learners | Assess equipment needs and teacher awareness |
Education stakeholders and parents will be watching how quickly the department moves from statements to implementation, particularly because the timing coincides with key assessments that can determine learners’ final-year outcomes.
Mohono urged communities to support the department in its work. Her message conveys a balance between firm administrative expectations and a call for civic cooperation — a combination that could shape how effectively the province responds to immediate exam pressures and longer-term infrastructure challenges.
As she settles into the portfolio, school principals, teacher unions and district officials will expect clear directives and resources from the MEC’s office. The coming weeks will show whether the new leadership can convert urgency into measurable improvements in the classroom.
