As we commence a new and exciting new year, the long feted 2010, it is only fitting that we reflect on the year that was, examining both the good and the bad.
We are obliged to undergo this exercise of introspection to assist us in our quest to bring about meaningful improvement in the lives of our people as enjoined by our constitutional mandate.
As we commence a new and exciting new year, the long feted 2010, it is only fitting that we reflect on the year that was, examining both the good and the bad.
We are obliged to undergo this exercise of introspection to assist us in our quest to bring about meaningful improvement in the lives of our people as enjoined by our constitutional mandate.
We are indebted to our children to improve the quality of teaching and learning throughout the education system in the province. The Learner Attainment Improvement Strategy (LAIS) is our masterplan to bring about a comprehensive overhaul of our education system in order to achieve an improved teaching and learning environment.
For 2010 we are committed to further mainstream the Quality Learning & Teaching Campaign as a fitting cohort for LAIS. The success of the learners through strengthening of this campaign will allow our learning society to be integrated and participate in the mainstream economy as full citizens.
It is indeed a fact that our system has been privileged with a few very meaningful pockets of excellence that are worthy of emulation by all of us in the department. Of these we can mention:
•The Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres rollout programme. The council of Education Ministers issued an injunction that we build ECD centres as part of all our primary schools. This financial year alone, there are 60 centres currently under construction.
•Best Practice exemplified by the Assessment and Examination Unit. The work done here boasts national and Umalusi recognised systems that are in place in conducting examinations that have resulted in zero leakages since 1997.
•Cluster C Focus Schools Programme. This long term intervention focuses on schools in the intermediate phase that then strengthen the cohorts going up to the Further Education and Training (FET) band.
•The absorption of all temporary and substitute teachers. In order to enhance the capacity of our schools the department has absorbed all our 5 719 part time educators found throughout the system.
•The declaration of the Post Establishment. At the end of last year, for the first time since 2007 we have been able to declare over 72 000 post basket, increasing from 65 313. This should provide stabilising effect to the education system in the province, and it should also motivate educators and schools to do better.
•Maturity of FET college programmes. The furniture refurbishment endeavour and the Ingwe College case-study.
•School building programme. Last year we completed 20 mud schools, 45 ECD centres, two special schools, and rebuilt the King Hintsa FET College.
All these steps should augur well for the overhaul of the whole education in the province, an endeavour that should be the pursuit of each and every education stakeholder for the year 2010.
