”Good in Theory”: SA Debates Linking Matric Dance to Academic Performance After Farewell Cancelled
- The principal of Milner High School in Klerksdorp cancelled the matric farewell after more than a third of Grade 12 pupils failed their Term 2 exams
- Principal Sam Lupuwana also pointed to poor discipline, class skipping, and disruptive behaviour during the school's '40 Days' celebrations as reasons for the decision
- South Africans are divided over whether cancelling the dance was fair or amounted to a blanket punishment for all pupils
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After the principal of Milner High School in Klerksdorp cancelled this year's matric farewell, South Africans have had a lot to say about it.
Principal Sam Lupuwana made the call after 72 of the school's 186 Grade 12 pupils failed their Term 2 examinations. Beyond the results, he pointed to a pattern of poor discipline: learners skipping classes and extra lessons, and disruptive behaviour during the school's "40 Days" celebrations. In his view, a matric farewell is a privilege that must be earned, not a guaranteed part of the matric experience.
SA debates the principal's decision.
The decision quickly ignited a broader conversation about whether the matric dance should be tied to academic performance at all. Most South Africans who weighed in online backed Lupuwana firmly, praising him for holding learners accountable at a time when many feel schools are too lenient.
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Some, however, raised a concern worth considering: that cancelling the event for the entire year group punishes well-behaved, hardworking pupils for the choices of others.
View the Facebook post here:
Mzansi reacts to the Matric Farewell cancellation
South Africans shared their views on Carte Blanche's Facebook page
Sarie Vickery White wrote:
"Give the principal a Bells."
Ranagi Naidoo said:
"This man is brilliant. You celebrate after you pass. It's time to focus on your studies."
Winston De Kock added:
"Some principals and SGBs can learn from him not to be dictated to by Grade 12s when it comes to a matric farewell."
Laylah Williams said:
"You do not celebrate bad behaviour. He did the right thing. Actions have consequences."
Reyaaz Sallie wrote:
"Matric dance is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. Work for it and don't expect handouts."
Tersia Cowley called him
"A principal with a backbone."
Adrian Larger quipped:
"Make him the minister of education."
Not everyone agreed entirely. Nikky Olivier offered a more nuanced take:
"The idea is good in theory, but the 'blanket punishment' attitude that many schools and teachers adopt does little to curb the bad behaviour, and it does much to demotivate those who are actually trying to work in class, listen to the teachers, and earn a decent pass for Grade 12. Punish the troublemakers, fine. But also reward those who are doing well."
Petro Herbst echoed that concern, writing:
"I have never been a fan of punishing people because of other people's behaviour. Let those who passed and behaved have their dance. After all, they did the right thing."
More Briefly News stories on matric dance
- A Lenasia matric learner raised funds for her matric dance and received donations of a dress, makeup and transport from South Africans on TikTok.
- A viral video showed some matriculants attending a striking black-carpet matric dance against a beautiful mountain backdrop.
- Single mother Fransina Riegers launched a fundraiser to help cover all of her daughter Brigita’s matric dance expenses.
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Source: Briefly News
