again
15 August 2006
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has every intention of
supporting both teachers and Grade 10 learners to perform better by the end of
2006. So said Education MEC Cameron Dugmore in response to a question in the
Provincial Legislature today.
Media Questions
Ms Su Paulse to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:
1. Whether the Western Cape Ministry of Education has taken or intends
taking any steps with a view to helping teachers to assist Grade 10 learners to
do much better in the November 2006 examinations, and to actually pass Grade
10; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer:
1. The WCED has every intention of supporting both teachers and Grade 10
learners to perform better by the end of 2006. The following are some of the
activities in which WCED has been engaged since being informed of the June
Grade 10 results:
* School visits have been arranged to schools that have been identified in
newspaper reports - thus far Edgemead, Milnerton and Simunye have been
visited.
* Schools will be advised to consult the bridging document that addresses the
gap between the old and new curriculums for Grade 10 and was issued to schools
in 2003.
* The WCED is conducting an analysis of June examination papers to determine
whether question papers set were appropriate.
* Exemplars of Grade 10 examinations have been obtained from the national
Department of Education and will be printed and sent to schools by the end of
August.
* A manual on setting question papers will be sent to all schools to assist
teachers to set single grade question papers with appropriate differentiation
and of an appropriate standard. The papers will also be mediated in workshops
in all Education Management and Development Centres (EMDCs).
* The poor pass rate in home language increased the number of learners who
failed quite dramatically, as the subject is compulsory. Previously, a Higher
Grade failure could be converted to a Standard Grade pass. Language curriculum
advisors will undertake further investigation into the problem so that a
support strategy can be developed.
* It is also evident that schools reported on sections of assessment only and
did not include Continuous Assessment (CASS) or oral marks as required.
Information regarding the requirements of assessment and reporting will be sent
to all schools again.
* Efforts will be made to enforce a 27-hour school week and to ensure that all
learners will have a minimum of five contact hours per day throughout the
year.
* The WCED will look at strengthening demands in grade 8 and 9, especially in
terms of assessment tasks set by teachers.
* An audit will be done to determine where schools lack the resources to teach
subjects, and where possible, to assist with Learning and Teaching Support
Materials (LTSM).
* Study skills will be improved in Life Orientation and the subject will also
be used to drive an increased academic work ethic. Grade 10 learners will be
supplied with a study-skills booklet which teachers will mediate with
learners.
* The WCED is developing an increasing focus on career guidance in order to
support learners to become self-motivated to study and succeed
academically.
* The WCED is recommending that schools do not write September examinations,
but that the time is spent teaching, as assessment requirements make provision
for only 2 exams a year.
* 10 WCED schools will participate in a national examination pilot, each one
writing three national subjects in October/November this year.
* All schools will write a common national grade 11 examination next year.
Every effort will be made to ensure that learners are well prepared for the
final Grade 10 assessment and that a satisfactory pass rate is achieved.
Mr M J R de Villiers to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:
1. In what year was the fence of the Murraysburg High School built?
2. Whether, also in the light of the fact that safety and discipline at
schools in the Western Cape are extremely contentious issues, the Western Cape
Education Department intends upgrading this fence; if not, why not; if so, (a)
when will this take place and (b) what are the further relevant details in this
regard?
Answer:
* 1. It was erected in 1917 when the school was built.
* 2. (a) Safety and discipline in schools are of the utmost importance to
the WCED. The department is doing all to create environments conducive to
learning in all schools by attending to the issues of health and safety. Yes,
the fence at Murraysburg High School will be upgraded.
* 2. (b) EMDC Directors prioritise schedule maintenance projects each year;
and Murraysburg High School was prioritised by the EMDC on the
2009/2010-schedule maintenance list. However, I will request the EMDC to engage
with the School Governing Body (SGB) of Murraysburg High School in order to
reprioritise the matter.
For enquiries, contact:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: (021) 467 2523
Cell: 082 550 3938
Fax: 021 425 5689
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
15 August 2006
