As a Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, we are proud to host the Provincial School Sports festival comprising of 5 730 learners from the length and breadth of our beautiful province. There is sufficient evidence worldwide of the benefits of healthy physical activities of a child, the community and the country at large.
Our signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Sports and Recreation in January this year is beginning to bear fruits. This school sports programme is indicative of our government commitment to provide school children an opportunity to take part in organised sports through the creation of accessible school sports system.
Within an integrated school sports system, Schools Sport Code Committees, together with their federations, continually ensure that a well-structured programme of organised activities is available every week so that learners:
- Gain access to on-going league programmes
- Expose their skills for identification and development
- Improve their skills through continuous practice
- Choose their favourite sporting code and
- Acquire opportunities to participate in sports globally.
The Integrated School Sports Framework and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Sports and Recreation outlines the role of the Education Sector in delivering sports in schools. As a department we have committed to four important pillars:
- Curriculum delivery through physical education
- Curriculum enrichment programme inclusive of mass participation
- Intra/inter school leagues and
- Teacher development.
Each and every school must be given an opportunity to participate in the school sports programme. It is not enough that out of more than 6 000 of our schools, only 2 839 schools have registered for schools league in 2013. The number of schools registered constitutes a mere 48% of a number of schools in the province.
I want to request all stakeholders to ensure that the remaining schools do register in the year 2014. It is heartening that Special Schools are part of this amazing team.
To this end, we want to thank Disability Sports of South Africa (DISSA) for coordinating Mild to Medium Handicapped, DEAF and physically disabled learners in all the districts to be part of this event. It is highly encouraging that 1 234 657 learners have played in the intra-school level and proceeded to Circuit level and District level. Being part of the provincial contingent means that all schools participating are real top achievers.
I want to emphasise the importance of continuity, even if the schools participating today do not proceed to the national level at Bloemfontein in December, they must sharpen their focus and ensure that they commit to school sports.
I also want to thank the Department of Sports and Recreation for supporting these tournaments. A warm word of gratitude also goes to School Governing Bodies, Sports Federations, KZN Sports Academy, KZN Sports Federation, Teacher Unions, Love life, Ethekwini Municipality, and other stakeholders for the support given to our hard working learners, teachers and officials.
Finally, let me thank the LOC for coordinating this magnificent event and ensuring that our learners have a future in the sporting world.
Halala Top Schools Halala!
Forward with schools league Forward!
Siyaya e Bloemfontein Siyaya!
