‘Raising the bar and leaving no child behind’
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier, Mr Ace Magashule
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Free State Legislature
Executive Mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality
Honourable Dr Mzangwa Executive Mayor of Maluti-a- Phofung Local Municipality
Honourable Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli
Superintendent General for Education, Mr Malope and other Heads of Department, Senior Managers of the Free State Department of Education and from other Developments, Representatives of teacher Unions, School Governing Bodies (SGB ) Members, Parents and the Tseki community, representatives from the private sector and journalists, Principals, educators and learners, Comrades and friends.
The 100 years celebrations in Mangaung were spectacular, demonstrating the love and support our people have for the African National Congress (ANC).
This year January 8th statement of the National Executive Committe (NEC) of the ANC, presented by President Jacob Zuma was a solid foundation that outlined our history of the liberation struggle and the path ahead of us.
In the statement Honourable Speaker, the President of the ANC, comrade Zuma eloquently emphasised the importance of education and skills development as a tool for reconstruction and development of our country.
In his State of the Province (SOPA) address presented to the sitting of the Provincial Legislature last month the Honourable Premier, Ace Magashule echoed the January 8th statement by putting education as the key priority of his administration.
In particular the Premier affirmed the commitment of the ANC 2009 Elections Manifesto which seeks to strengthen a sustainable Early Childhood Education to give our children a head start on numeracy and literacy.
The Premier also reiterated the provincial government’s commitment of investing in priority skills by expanding access of the needy and deserving young people to higher education through the provincial government bursary scheme.
Honourable Members, Honourable Members we are honoured indeed to account to the people of Free State just hours after Human Rights Day – a day when apartheid police mowed down 69 unarmed people and injured 180 others in Sharpeville, who refused to carry the hated dompas identity document that was meant only for indigenous Africans.
Education is a valuable instrument that can be used to unite the nation, promote democracy and is a bulwark for our freedom. Education remains our hope for entrenching human dignity, equality and freedom envisioned by John Langalibelele Dube, Dr James Moroka, Pixley Ka Seme and other leaders of the ANC.
Our theme this year, Honourable Members, is ‘Raising the bar and leaving no child behind’.
The ANC’s 52nd national conference in Polokwane recognised that children are the future and therefore measures to invest in their development have to be given priority. Our efforts to advance this priority will be channelled towards provisioning of quality basic education as Outcome 1 of the department’s Action Plan 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025.
In helping us to raise the bar and leave no child behind we therefore call on parents to see education of their children as a partnership amongst parents, teachers, the school and the broader community.
We also reiterate the call we made since 2009 that ‘teachers and learners must be in class, on time, teachers teaching and learners learning. Honourable Members, in raising the bar and leaving no child behind we need teachers who understand the importance of their contribution in nation building and learners who take full responsibility for their learning.
Honourable Speaker, the overall budget for the Free State Department of Education for the 2012/13 financial year is R 10. 045 billion.
Early Childhood Education
Honourable Speaker, we have made great progress towards the universalisation of Early Childhood Development (ECD). In 2011/12 we increased Grade R classes by 68 classes. This has provided 30 872 learners in public schools an opportunity to have at least one year of pre-grade 1 education in the province.
Honourable Speaker, we are pleased to announce that the budget allocation for ECD has increased from R80.227 million in the 2011/12 financial year to R86. 728 million in 2012/13. This will allow us to expand grade R classes with 100 additional classes in this financial year. To fast-track this expansion, 50 primary schools across the province that do not have space for Grade R will be identified to officially adopt a grade R class in their community based centres. Through our Infrastructure Programme, a total of 60 grade R classrooms will be completed during 2012/13 financial year.
Honourable Speaker, the quality of ECD practitioners remains a key factor in determining the quality of our ECD programmes. To this end, we have enlisted the services of 25 retired teachers to train Pre-grade R practitioners on the implementation of the Free State Pre-Grade R Curriculum. To date 774 Pre-grade R practitioners from 512 community-based sites have been trained on the implementation of an appropriate curriculum for children from birth to 4 years age cohort.
We have also trained 1 056 Grade R practitioners on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in both public and community-based sites. This was in preparation for the CAPS implementation in 2012. This demonstrates of our commitment to provide professional support to all teachers including pre grade R and Grade R practitioners. The salaries of Grade R practitioners will be increase by 5% with effect from April 2012.
In this financial year R4, 9 million will also be used to provide educational toys to 200 public schools that have grade R. This will serve to stimulate children’s mind prior to receiving formal education in Grade 1, as proven by research that children learn through play.
Furthermore grade R classes will be supplied with Teachers’ Manuals and Learners’ books to ensure that the programme that they follow is well structured and that quality teaching and learning takes place in grade R.
The Annual National Assessments (ANA)
Honourable Speaker, in raising the bar and leaving no child behind we need to make sure that young people of this province receive quality education.
Accordingly, this year more attention will be given to the teaching and learning of mathematics and languages in primary schools.
The results of the ANA, which was written in 2011, serve as a basis for our interventions in improving learner attainment in the schooling system as a whole and provide an opportunity for parents, schools and communities to correctly respond through Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) structures.
Qualitative analysis of learners’ responses in Maths and languages revealed, inter alia, the following gaps: inability to handle basic mathematical operations, difficult to read hand writing, incorrect spelling and lack of vocabulary. In response to these challenges we will continue to ensure that all schools pay attention to the fundamental skills of counting, reading and writing.
Honourable Speaker, the ANA will be written in September 2012. Our target is that 60% of Grade 3, 6 and 9 learners must be performing at the minimum of 50% in mathematics and langauges.
The Education Laws Amendment Act No. 31 of 2007 will be applied to increase accountability at the level of primary schools. All underperforming primary schools will account for their ANA results in 2012, and will be closely monitored to ensure improved learner attainment.
In pursuit of quality basic education, the following initiatives will further be rolled out in 2012 to improve learner performance at primary school level:
- Teaching of phonics in grades R to 3 Competitions on spelling Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), reading, mental maths and maths quizzes.
- Provision of mobile science laboratories to 200 more schools.
- Extra tuition for Grades 3, 6 and 9 learners through the Rapid Response Programme.
- Provision of ‘back to basics’ materials for reading such as Ntataise and Matlhasedi readers as well as graded readers to all struggling primary schools
- Provide Minimum Expected Levels of Performance brochures for grades R-3 in Mathematics and Home Languages for parents and other interested stakeholders to assist in supporting their children and in monitoring their progress.
- MEC programme on ‘parenting with assurance’, to give support to parents to assist their children.
- Intensive training of educators in language and mathematical skills.
- Through Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) recruit about 300 out-of-school youth to be used as Grade 3 Teacher Assistants (TA).
- Training of 80 unemployed youth as peer educators who will in turn assist learners with reading and homeworks.
Provincial Strategy on Learner Attainment (PSLA) and Professional Teacher Development Improvement of Learner performance in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) remains one of our key priorities. In 2011 we raised the bar by achieving a pass rate of 75, 7% in the NSC exams. Our target for 2012 is 80% pass rate.
Whilst extra tuition remains one of our key interventions, our focus in 2012 will be on the continuous and sustainable improvement of teachers’ capacity and practices. Professional Teacher development remains a critical pillar in the implementation of any attempt to improve learner attainment.
Our flagship project this year will be the establishment of Teacher Development Institute and centres at provincial and district levels respectively as well as Professional Learning Communities at local level.
The above centres will intensify focused content and methodology programmes for underperforming, declining and high enrolment schools. This will be accompanied by Instructional leadership training programme for School Management Teams (SMTs).
Furthermore a comprehensive induction and mentoring programme for new teachers will be introduced.
The department is also considering exchange programmes and / or in-service training / pre-service training programmes in respect of teacher development with Zimbabwe and Kenya, which have demonstrated best practice models in the field of training and teaching of Mathematics, Science and English. This, Honorable Speaker, will be done within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Education and Training of the 8th September 1997 in Blantyre, which encourages co-operation in the area of education amongst the SADC countries.
‘Maths for all Campaign’
Honourable Speaker, on 12 September 2011 we successfully launched the ‘Maths for all Campaign’. The main object of the campaign was to highlight the beauty, utility and applicability of mathematics. The campaign also seeks to debunk the myth that this subject is difficult, cold, abstract and only accessible to a few. We also want to use the campaign as a medium to popularise mathematics, to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the subject.
As part of ‘Maths for All campaign’ last year we offered bursaries to 120 maths literacy teachers to study maths at the Nelson Mandela University. We have also incentivised top maths schools with R100 000 per school. We have also expanded the Heymath! Programme by 50 schools and installed 200 maths labs in primary schools. The feedback we have received on the impact of HeyMaths! Programme is positive.
Under theme ‘because you can’ we will intensify ‘Maths for All Campaign’ by inter alia expanding the HeyMath! Programme to additional 50 schools, conducting maths seminars to share best practices, converting 100 more maths literacy teachers to maths teachers and introducing Chess clubs in 100 schools across the province.
The persistent scarcity of maths, science and accounting teachers militates against our efforts of delivering quality education. In 2011, in partnership with Teach SA, the department has placed 15 young graduates to teach maths and science in identified schools.
Through Operation Hlasela, unemployed graduates teachers were identified and placed to teach Maths, Science and Accounting in our schools. We will continue to recruit unemployed graduates who have these skills.
We will also strengthen the existing partnerships with various stakeholders to ensure the success of Maths, Science, Accounting and English. These stakeholders include Kutlwanong Centre, Kagiso Trust, University of the Free State (UFS), Central University of Technology (CUT), SASOL, Voorspoed Mines, Harmony Mines, Gold Fields, etc.
Improving school functionality
Honourable Speaker, effective school management is a catalyst for functional schools. It is therefore imperative that the department plays a critical role in intensifying existing training programmes that add value to school functionality.
To this end, the department enrolled 130 principals in a two-year part-time Advance Certificate for Educational (ACE) Leadership programme in 2010/11. The ACE Leadership programme for Principals will continue in 2012/13.
During this year’s School Governing Bodies’ elections, which commenced from the 1st and end on the 31st March 2012, we take this opportunity to urge all parents in the Free State to make these elections a resounding success befitting a winning province like ours whose accolades include hosting the successful African National Congress (ANC) Centenary celebrations.
Let me acknowledge and appreciate the work done by the outgoing SGBs.
We trust that the newly appointed SGBs will continue the work of promoting school excellence, ensure that schools run smoothly and efficiently and that they serve the best interest of their communities and the expectations of parents. The training of newly elected SGBs will take place in 2012.
Inclusive education
Honourable Speaker, strengthening and supporting special and full service schools is one of our strategic goals. In 2011 we appointed 19 social workers at special schools across the province. We also procured Hearing Aids and Braille Machines for Bartemea and Thiboloha schools. At the cost of R300 000 we provided specialised computers to Lettie Fouche’ school and installed a R400 000 worth of computer network infrastructure at Bartemea - school for the deaf and the blind.
An amount of R332.9 million has been allocated in 2012/13 to Public Special Schools Education. This allocation will be used amongst other things to train inclusive education educators, their assistants and departmental officials serving special schools on sign language. Specialised Learner Teacher Support Material(LTSM) for Special schools and full service schools will continue to be prioritised.
We will continue to provide decent education facilities for Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) in the province. We have started with upgrading and renovations of schools like Bartemea and Boitumelong in Thaba- Nchu. The department is also reconstructing and rehabilitating Johan Slabbert Special School in Kroonstad.
Learner Support
In order to strengthen improved learner performance in the province the department will continue to invest in learner support programmes. In the 20I2/13 financial year a total of R36.3 million has been budgeted for scholar transport. This will allow us to maintain the existing scholar transport programme.
Of the 22 farm school hostels that are already accommodating about 2 444 learners, we upgraded a total of 15 hostels throughout the province, amongst these we renovated Tseki, Manthatisi, Seotlong and Sekgutlong hostels all of which are here in Qwaqwa.
In 2012/13 three new hostels (Harmony hostel, Tierpoort, and Diyatalawa) will be ready to accommodate additional farm school learners. During my budget vote speech of 2011, I announced that construction of a new hostel in Bainsvlei will commence, however, there were delays in the appointment of a service provider which was only concluded in February 2012.
In 2011/12, the number of learners benefitting from the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) increased from 505 409 to 521 611 learners in quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools including 8 special schools. The main objective of this programme is to increase access to education, improve learner attendance and decrease drop-out rates. In 2012/13 we will be feeding 524 613 learners from the conditional grant of R261.367 million plus supplementary funding from the equitable share.
Honourable Speaker, the Report on Evaluation of National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) not only supports needy learners, but it also plays a critical role in job creation and poverty alleviation. Together with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs we have registered 200 Local Women Cooperatives (LWCs). About 90 of these cooperatives are already servicing our schools. We will continue to ensure that registered cooperatives become functional.
Improving Rural Education through partnerships
Honourable Members, our primary responsibility is to make every public school a thriving centre of excellence which delivers quality teaching and learning.
About 192 rural schools with limited learning and teaching resources are supported with 7 mobile libraries reaching 1 338 educators and 34 613 learners. This was made possible through the generous donations of South African Primary Education Support Initiative (SAPESI) from Japan and Sony Corporation who are supporting our learners with mobile buses and 39 341 library books respectively. A new 3- year partnership agreement is starting this financial year and will bring additional stock for the mobile libraries and 4 additional buses. This will benefit an additional 160 rural schools.
School connectivity
Honourable Speaker, the strategic intention of the school connectivity plan is to provide cost-effective, secure and efficient connectivity that will advance the quality of teaching and learning in our schools.
In 2011/12, thirty three schools across the province were connected to assist learners to access Internet for research purposes. In partnership with Vodacom, the FSDoE launched new Web-box connectivity in Diyatalawa and Makgolokweng respectively. In the 2012/13 financial year the Department will continue to maintain the existing connectivity.
As more schools get connected to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) infrastructure, there is a need for educators to be trained in ICTs. In the last financial year we have therefore deployed contract workers to schools to assist with the use of ICTs. This has benefitted 445 teachers from 19 schools who were trained in ICTs basic skills programme. Schools that have gone through this programme progress to the next level of competency which is the innovative use of ICTs in the classroom.
Bursaries, Internships and Learnerships
In his State of the Province address Honourable Premier, Magashule confirmed the Executive Council resolution to invest in the youth of this Province. Spending on education of the youth is not a cost but a solid future investment. Our commitment to opening the doors of education and culture for all is not a lip service in this province.
Since 2010 our department was given a Herculean responsibility of administering bursaries in the province. Currently, we are responsible for 6 066 bursaries. This includes maintenance of the existing bursaries as well as the newly allocated bursaries. In the 2011/12 financial year R181.3 million was paid for bursaries. The 2012/13 financial year allocation for bursaries to pay both maintenance and new bursaries is R144.7 million. In the 2012 academic year we have awarded 1 500 full-time bursaries to the needy and deserving young people of the province.
In our attempt to raise the bar and leave no child behind, we will continue to offer internships, learnerships and bursaries to young people in the critical skills such as engineering, environmental sciences, information technology, medicine etc.
Infrastructure development and maintenance
Honourable speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Premier and the Executive Council for affording the department an opportunity to implement projects of value below R10 million as this bold decision has not only resulted in an improved expenditure for infrastructure budget but also ensured quality of infrastructure and value for money. To increase the capacity of the Department, Property Officers who are qualified in the Built Environment fields have been appointed in each District to fast track the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The department is successfully combating overcrowding by building schools in areas where this phenomenon is prevalent. The building of three new schools namely; Kamohelo in Bloemfontein, Bopa-Setjhaba in Parys and Letlotlo-Naledi in Bothaville, will be completed in the 2012/13 financial year. In addition, the reconstruction of the entire Ithabeleng Secondary School in Wesselsbron, will be completed by June 2012 as part of the programme dealing with unsafe school infrastructure.
The second phase of six other schools, namely, Matla in Bloemfontein, Phahamisang in Virginia, Iphateleng in Wesselbron, Nthuthuzelo in Bultfontein, Kopanelang Thuto and Kahobotjha-Sakabusha both of which are in Sasolburg will be completed in the 2012/13 financial year with Phahamisang scheduled to be fully completed and in use during the third academic term.
To further deal with the challenges of overcrowding, we have completed 25 classrooms in four schools including Phetogane and Moipone both of which are in Thaba-Nchu where we completed six classrooms in each school, further 38 classrooms are currently under construction in various schools whilst 43 new classrooms will commence in 2012/13 financial year.
The department will launch a farm school infrastructure maintenance programme which will be implemented in conjunction with Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges in the province.
Working together with the Department of Basic Education, we provided water, sanitation and electricity to 83 farm schools in 2011/12 through the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) programme. In the 2012/13 financial year this programme will focus on re-constructing prefabricated schools.
Honourable Speaker, the priorities that we have outlined will be the foundation of our work for the 2012/13 financial year. They respond to our theme of ‘raising the bar and leaving no child behind’.
Conclusion
Allow me, therefore, to express my sincere appreciation to all our partners in the public and private sectors, the SGBs, the donor community, non-governmental organisations, community and faith-based organisations, unions, community and mainstream media, higher education institutions and all our strategic stakeholders for their continued support in helping us realise our vision and mission of improving the lives of our children by providing them with quality education.
Let me also pay tribute to our Premier, the Executive Council of the Province, Portfolio Committee responsible for Education and the ANC for making education an apex priority.
Honourable Speaker, I am indebted to the Head of Department, Mr Stanley Malope and his team for their hard work and dedication. In the same breath, I would like to pay a special tribute to our Principals, Educators and all other employees of the Department including my support staff for their commitment to raising the bar and leaving no child behind.
Finally, I also wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family for their unwavering support.
I thank you.
