A group of 5 exceptional young girls have demonstrated that academic excellence is not a gender prerogative by excelling and toping the Junior Certificate (JC) results list at Edwaleni High School. The five girls namely Temlandvo Dlamini (17), Busiswa Dlamini (16), Lindokuhle Dlamini (17), Sinakekelwe Simelane (16) and Siphiwe Ndzinisa (21) defied all odds when they topped the JC results list of over 100 stu[1]dents. The meritorious Temlandvo was also in the list of top 5 excelling students in the whole country. This excellence is a result of the students hard work, individual positive attributes, quality teaching and learning environment, peer and family support, resilience, passion and desire to seek knowledge as well as the continued mentorship by their teachers in collaboration with the NATICC project team. Edwaleni and NATICC entered into a partnership in the year 2017. The partnership entailed student and teacher mentoring on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), mental health, and life skills training that entailed debunking some of the prevalent toxic gender myths that discourage girls’ academic excellence.

Since the year 2017 NATICC has been consistantly empowering students in the school on various topics including personal skills such as goal setting, self-esteem, decision making, understanding risk, communication skills, sexual health, gender, values and behavior, rape and sexual abuse, substance abuse, relationships and others. The teachers were also periodically empowered on Emotional intelligence (EI) and various topics related to teaching for results and academic excellence. The major objective of these interventions was to reduce the high incidence of school dropouts due to teenage pregnancies. We are therefore excited that the collaboration with Edwaleni High school has yielded positive results and contributed positively to the holistic academic excellence that is being consistently potrayed by this school and we are exceedingly encouraged by the performances of the girls. The duration of the partnership was earmarked for 5 years and was due to end in the year 2022 but because of its positive impact on student learning, the school administration led by their vibrant Principal Mr Mazwe Xaba have continued to engage NATICC for further engagements with the students and teachers. When interviewed by this publication the girls collectively attributed their success to consistent hard work and dedication, commitment, sacrifice as well as continued support from their peers and families

which again stregthens the theory that the home environment plays a pivotal in the attributes of the students including their motivation and attitude towards learning. According to Prof. Steve Dinham in his book ‘How to get your schools moving and improving’ (2008), the level of expectation and encouragement from the home can contribute positively to the academic success of students. He further asserts that the contribution of the home environment can also be accounted for in the qualities of the students. The students attested that they spend atleast 2 to 5 hours a day doing their homework and studying. This is made possible by supportive family members who take a bigger share of the burden of household chores that is usually carried by the girl child. This support allows them to devote ample time to their studies. The students have proven that determination and hard work coupled with both external and internal motivation can culminate to amazing outcomes. Moreover, according to research students with steeper learning trajectories are highly likely to achieve a lot of success regardless of sex and gender. The achievements of these young girls further illustrate the unprecedented push back by girls on the prevalent gender stereotypes that still empede gender equality and equity in our society.

This further demonstrates the quality of teaching and learning in the school despite the many disadvantages brought about by its geographic location. Edwaleni High School is situated in one of the rural and marginalized communities in the Shiselweni Region. Rural schools commonly suffer many disadvantages such as classroom overcrowding, students experiencing severe socio-economic barriers such as extreme poverty, inadequate teaching aids and other difficulties. Research has proven that students in these schools are much more prone to early school dropout due to a number socio-cultural and economic difficulties such as school fees, toxic gender stereotypes that advance male preferences, rural-urban migration in search for a better life, the loss of one or both parents, and other severe vulnerabilities. When interviewed after their fantastic achievements the students expressed heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the continued mentorship and encouragement from the school administration and the NATICC project team. Their preferred professions include include neurology, gynocology, psychology, medicine and other sophisticated careers that align with their sharp minds.