The newly appointed MEC for Education in the Free State, Mr Tate Makgoe, met all departmental personnel at head office at Grey College hall in Bloemfontein. The MEC was warmly welcomed amidst ululations and cheering by staffers.
In outlining the purpose of the meeting and presenting the MEC to the house, the Acting Head of Department (HoD), Mr Khoarai said the arrival of the new MEC was a sign of good things to come as his approach was also different. He said the MEC wanted employees to talk to him about their problems and other pertinent work related matters of concern. This was well received by the staffers from head office.
In his remarks, the MEC said education is one of the ingredients to take people out of abject poverty. He reminded the officials that focus should be on learners as the primary core business of the department is learning and teaching. Thus, concerns raised by the curriculum branch needed to be given urgent attention. He said the department is one of few that get evaluated every year through the grade 12 results.
"We have to make education comparable and comparative. The department is going to make difficult decisions to improve the existing situation. And in dealing with the existing problems, some of the solutions may not be in everyone's favour. We have to raise the moral of our officials for them to be able to give the teachers all the support they need, to produce quality education. We need to work together as a team to overcome all the shortcomings."
The MEC, who is a chemical engineering graduate from Technikon Vaal Triangle, told of his passion about mathematics and science in schools. He called on officials to be innovative and help come up with a comprehensive provincial maths and science strategy.
"It is time to move away from obsession with qualifications and move towards obsession with performance. Today's meeting is part of a journey that we have to undertake, and not just an event," he said.
Enquiries:
Solly Magalefa
Tel: 051 404 8314
Cell: 082 573 3404
Fax: 051 404 8082
Fax to E-mail: 086 545 0569
E-mail: magalefasr@edu.fs.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
18 May 2009
