7 December 2007
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has launched a call for
expression of interest last night (Thursday, 6 December) for a proposed Retired
Teachers Association (RTA). Deputy Education Minister Enver Surty was the guest
speaker at the function in Athlone, Cape Town.
The WCED under the leadership of MEC Cameron Dugmore has set aside modest
seed funding for the inception of this initiative and contracted a service
provider to determine interest levels to see if the proposal garners
support.
MEC Dugmore said: "The ultimate success of the operation will depend on the
uptake from retired teachers. We have started to speak to stakeholders like
unions and school governing body associations as well as to individuals, and
the preliminary responses have been extremely enthusiastic.
"The real debate about details, roles, constitution, and roll-out and so on
will be in the hands of the retired teachers themselves.
"We are confident that this exercise will provide a huge resource for
schools and for learning, a mass mobilisation of a vital 'support base' with so
much wisdom and talent to contribute and a good place for community plough
back.
"Through the association the branches might provide intellectual stimulus to
members on issues of common interest or via social engagements. Lectures and
sessions on, for example, emerging legislation or school management issues,
could contribute much to maintaining cohesiveness and personal fulfilment in
this sector of society.
"Members of the RTA might want to offer tuition or other help, for example
in libraries or with management; help with literacy and numeracy programmes, or
even conducting classes at spring or winter schools.
"I would also like to call on the experience of retired educators to feed
insights into the structures of the WCED and school governing bodies, to
promote excellence in public education.
"Members of the RTA will have an opportunity to interact with other retirees
in participating in community service, be updated on relevant legislative and
policy issues, participate in social activities and perhaps receive discounts
on items or services that the RTA might have negotiated with its trading
partners.
"So, if you're a retired educator or a group and you believe you can add
value to the lives of our learners and teachers, and help grow the RTA, please
make contact. For the RTA to achieve its objectives and survive, it requires
your further input, commitment and membership.
"This is the start of something very exciting and I look forward to learning
from the retired teachers what their vision might be for growing education in
our province to give everybody the best possible start in life."
Retired educators interested in joining, can contact:
Harry Zass
Cell: 082 336 2875
Andiswa Mxhadi
Cell: 072 444 8845
E-mail: rta@workmail.co.za
Fax: 086 666 2146
For enquiries, contact:
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
7 December 2007
