(UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on education
6 March 2007
"In the last twelve years of democracy, the country has made great strides
in the reconstruction of South Africa and Africa. In pursuit of the UN
Millennium Development Goals on Education, it has successfully united 19
different education departments, increased the number of successful black and
women graduates and transformed the curriculum to the point where it is now
reaching stability and maturity," said the Western Cape Education MEC Cameron
Dugmore during a Summit on the State of Southern African Education, taking
place at the Waterfront, Cape Town this week till Friday.
It is deliberating and adopting resolutions on issues such as learners,
teachers and education, status of education in the region and social issues in
education as well as the curriculum.
The summit is attended by directors of educational institutes, school
principals, senior academics and school managers, social developers' agencies,
teacher unions and government officials. Key speakers include Head of Western
Cape Education Department (WCED) Ron Swartz, General-Secretary of South African
Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) Thulas Nxesi, Chief Executive Officer of the
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Samuel B Isaacs, and Muavia
Gallie, Director of the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
International speakers include Raymond Majongwe, Leader of the Progressive
Teachers union of Zimbabwe and Macharia Kamau of United Nations International
Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
In his official opening of the summit yesterday, MEC Dugmore said that
investment in education is essential to the development of any society, its
people and its economy.
"Whilst we are proud of our achievements, we are also the first to
acknowledge the continuing challenges, especially in respect to equity and
redress, the drop-out rates (50%), the levels of literacy and numeracy, the
performance of our learners in the subjects of maths and science, teacher
support and development, and learner behaviour and parental involvement in the
education system." said MEC Dugmore.
For enquiries, contact:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
6 March 2007
