14 November 2007
It was important to allow teachers time off to celebrate World Teachers Day,
in honour of teachers who often make the difference between social order and
chaos in our society.
Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore said so during an interpellation
this afternoon in the Provincial Legislature. MEC Dugmore answered questions on
growth of learner numbers, cell phones, homework guidelines, educator:learner
ratios and the status of a private school.
MEC Dugmore said: "Many schools have been given permission within the
prescripts of departmental policy to apply for the shortening of the school day
for occasions like these via their circuit managers. Circuit managers as a norm
before approving such an application ensure that the curriculum delivery at
these institutions is not compromised."
In reply to a question on policy on cell phones, he said he was "very
disturbed with the recordings and distribution of obscene clips by learners,
which involves scenes of sex and violence. Although banning cell phones
outright is not an option, I have called on schools to regulate the use of
technology more effectively in our schools."
Full questions and replies:
R V Carlisle to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
* Whether certain provincial schools had permission to close down earlier on
5 October 2007?
Answer
Every year on 5 October the teaching community all over the world celebrate
World Teachers Day, in honour of teachers, who often make the difference
between social order and chaos in our society.
The day is celebrated by teachers to remind us who represent government, of
the important role of teachers within society. Thanks in part to the efforts of
Education International (EI) and its 348 member organisations, and all our
local teacher unions and education activists, there is widespread global
recognition of the profession.
Teachers Day is celebrated to acknowledge teachers and the central role they
play in efforts to achieve quality education for all children; and to thank
them for their continued commitment to the profession, often in difficult
circumstances.
This year was without a doubt a difficult year for Education in the country
and in the Western Cape. The prolonged industrial action has impacted heavily
on all of our lives. The main themes that refrained from across our teaching
corps were a decent working environment and a living wage.
Our teachers indicated that they needed more than verbal recognition of
their dedication and of the demands that they face. They united to signal to
the world that they needed tangible recognition of their unremitting efforts to
hold the social fabric together. They indicated strongly that they needed to be
acknowledged for their role as 'educators' in the fullest sense of the
word.
The industrial action has reminded us, the authorities that we must continue
to acknowledge the role of teachers in our society, and reaffirm the need to
work together to better understand the issues.
Many schools have been given permission within the prescripts of
departmental policy to apply for the shortening of the school day for occasions
like these via their circuit managers. Normally this is a controlled process
and parents are being informed beforehand in cases like these by the schools,
in order for them to be aware and to make appropriate arrangements.
Circuit managers as a norm before approving such an application ensures
that, the curriculum delivery at these institutions is not compromised. So, the
answer to your question Carlisle is yes, certain schools did have the necessary
permission to close down earlier.
S Esau to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
With regard to Rouxville, Jagtershof and Soneike:
* whether the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has monitored the
growth of learner s in these areas, if so, what are the results,
* whether any of these areas have been prioritised for additional school
facilities, like primary schools and high schools, if not, why not, if so, when
will the building of the infrastructure commence,
* whether there has been a long waiting list at any of these schools for the
past three years?
Answer
* Yes. The WCED does not have precise demographic details, but can confirm
that population numbers are growing in these areas.
* Yes. The WCED has placed the building of a new primary school on the
priority list for Rouxville. The date of commencement must still be
determined.
* The primary schools of Mikro and De Kuilen usually have waiting lists. Those
who cannot be accommodated typically find places at schools in surrounding
areas, with the assistance of the East Metropole District Office if
necessary.
S Esau to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
* how many parent-teacher evenings were conducted with regard to the Western
Cape Education Department's Homework Guidelines,
* in which areas were they conducted?
Answer
* provincial guidelines for the management of homework in public ordinary
schools, circular 0045/2005, dated 17 August 2005 was sent to schools to assist
schools in developing a school homework policy.
The circular drew attention to the fact that homework was part of the
teaching and learning activities of a school and required effective management
by principals, educators, parents and learners.
The circular contained information and suggestions regarding the management
of the amount and the nature of homework within the outcomes-based curriculum
content.
The principals were requested to bring the contents of the circular and
guideline document to the attention of staff, governing bodies, parents and
learners.
It is not possible to give an answer to the question of how many
parent-teacher evenings were not conducted with regard to the circular, nor in
which areas they were conducted. The document consisted of recommendations and
helpful tips for the school communities to adopt and implement. No mechanism
exists for the monitoring of how the schools managed the information
process.
* S Esau to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
* what is the current status of the Kalkfontein Primary School in respect of
learners, educators, classrooms and other school amenities,
* whether the school would be considered as under-utilised?
Answer
* Kalkfontein Primary School opened in 2006 in Kalkfontein, Kuils River, and
currently has 748 learners in Grades R to 8 (2006:597), 20 educators, including
a principal, a deputy principal and three heads of department (2006: 16), 29
classrooms, and one computer laboratory and one library.
The school has 20 teachers but 29 classrooms, which indicates that the
school has capacity for further growth. Enrolment has grown since the school
opened in 2006, which indicates that the school needs the additional capacity.
If necessary, the WCED will use the capacity to accommodate learners who cannot
find places at nearby schools.
A Arnolds to ask Cameron Dugmore Minister of Education:
* what is the progress with regard to the cell phone policy in schools?
Answer
* As MEC for Education I am very disturbed with the recordings and
distribution of obscene clips by learners, which involves scenes of sex and
violence. Although banning cell phones outright is not an option, I have called
on schools to regulate the use of technology more effectively in our
schools.
It has to be noted that the WCED cannot develop a general cell phone policy
for all the schools in the province. Each school governing body (SGB) needs to
develop its own cell phone policy, as this cell phone policy must be linked to
the school's own individual Code of Conduct for learners. The Code of Conduct
is developed after consultation between its teachers, parents and learners. The
provincial Department has, however, developed guidelines for use by all schools
to assist them to develop their own cell phone policy.
The draft document, 'Guidelines for developing a cell phone policy at a
school,' has been developed by the Directorate: Institutional Management and
Governance (IMG) Planning. After consultation within the directorate, the
necessary changes were made and it was then presented to the senior district
officials in the IMG branch for consultation at our policy consultation meeting
on Monday, 29 October 2007. The necessary changes were made before it was
disseminated to the SGB associations for their comments and inputs. The
deadline for comments is 15 November 2007. After the necessary changes are made
it will be presented to the Top Management of the WCED, for their final input
and comments before sending it to all schools in the province.
S Esau to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
* Whether the Shiloah Christian School in Wynberg is registered with the
WCED and if so when did this happen, it complies with all the requirements, the
educators in the school are suitably qualified and if so, what qualifications
they possess, the school gets a subsidy from WCED, and any complaints against
the school had been reported to the WCED?
Answer
* Yes, 2000
* Yes, it complies with all the requirements
* Yes. They are suitably qualified
* Yes. From Shahid Esau (MP) who communicated to Job (Senior Circuit Manager)
that a parent, Greenwood, had complained about his child, Cecelia, not
receiving tuition due to teacher turnover. This was investigated and it was
found not to be true. The principal explained that when two teachers left the
school, she immediately employed two teachers, one for Economic Management
Science Studies and History, and another for Natural sciences. She herself took
over some of the teaching duties. It was further established that the parent,
Greenwood, was informed (prior to the complaint) that his child will not be
accommodated at the school for 2008 because the parent has continuous
outstanding school fees for the last five years. Because Shiloah Christian
School is a private school (and dependent upon parents paying their fees) they
are at liberty to direct the parent in this way.
This state of affairs was communicated to Esau telephonically by the Senior
Circuit Manager, Rachart Job, a day after Esau lodged the query. Greenwood
subsequently paid up R2000,00 and the rest was by a Councillor, a Haywood who
also telephoned on behalf of Greenwood. She apparently was initially rude and
threatened the school, but then paid the account on behalf of the parent.
S Esau to ask Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Education:
Regarding the Garden Village Primary, what are the educator-learner ratio at
the school, what is the condition of the prefabrication structures at the
school, is the school on the priorities lists to be upgraded, if so, when, if
not, why not, and what is the current status of the sewerage pipe under the
school building?
Answer
* 28:1 for the Grade Rs and 42:1 for Grades one to seven.
The prefabricated structures at the school are still in a fair condition.
The ablution block at the school, which was in a poor condition, has been
replaced.
The school is appearing on a list of 'plankie' schools that need to be
replaced. However, the replacement of the schools on this list is dependent on
available budget. The only schools receiving attention currently are those
where the poor condition of the building is seen as endangering the safety of
the users. In cases where a school is being under-utilised, and where
classrooms are in a dilapidated state, the classrooms are removed but not
replaced. In other cases, the planning process for permanent structures has
already begun (so as to tackle projects in phases), with the construction phase
planned to be activated only when funds are appropriated.
The WCED was not aware of a sewerage pipe under the school building. The
WCED has made enquiries about it. According to the school principal, there is a
pipe across the sports area, which runs parallel to the vibracrete boundary
wall of the school. Consultants for the new permanent school will have to
determine the precise location of the pipe and take that into consideration
during their planning phase of the project.
For enquiries, contact:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
14 November 2007
