22 March 2006
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will tonight be celebrating the
achievement of excellence of adult learners as well as public adult learning
centres in both the adult basic education and training (ABET) level four
assessment and senior certificate examinations of 2005.
The awards function, the second since 2004 will commence from 19h00 (7pm) at
the Cape Teacher's Institute, Nooiensfontein Road in Kuils River.
The ABET level four assessment is a national assessment that draws on
participation by public adult centres, the Department of Correctional Services,
several government departments and the Cape Town City Council. Some schools of
skill and youth centres also participate in the assessment.
ABET level four is placed on the first rung of the equivalent to grade nine
school level and is an important step towards ensuring that persons who have
been unable to obtain a formal qualification or basic education in the past,
can access the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and continue their
learning.
This is in keeping with the concept of lifelong learning and is especially
important as the Bill of Rights list the right of everyone to basic education
including adult basic education.
Education MEC Cameron Dugmore said, "In terms of our human capital
development strategy, it is important that more people have access to higher
education and thus it is vital that previously disadvantaged people are
afforded opportunities to gain access to formalised general education.
"Also, the Western Cape government's vision of a home for all is important
in ABET where most, if not all, learners are from previously disadvantaged
backgrounds. The need to encourage, motivate and reward achieving learners and
centres is at the forefront of this awards function.
"The WCED also offers opportunities for thousands of adults to gain further
education in terms of achieving a Senior Certificate.
"Last year was a significant year for ABET in the Western Cape. We had more
learners writing the ABET level four examinations as well as a higher
percentage of registered learners writing the examinations than ever
before.
"Fifty years had passed since the call for the 'doors of learning and
culture to be opened' was made and we still heed this call within the realm of
adult education today. This is not only a government priority but should be
important to business, communities and the individuals themselves.
"In his State of the Nation Address, President Thabo Mbeki has called on us
to 'move faster to address the challenges of poverty, underdevelopment and
marginalisation confronting those caught within the second economy, to ensure
that the poor in our country share in our growing prosperity'
"Premier Ebrahim Rasool, in his State of the Province Address said there are
signs 'that we are indeed on the threshold of prosperity. But the prosperity
has to be shared by all; otherwise it will not be sustainable.'
"And therefore, our human capital development strategy document acknowledges
that our current throughput rate in both basic and further education at adult
centres is poor and we aim to change this through offering more appropriate
programmes and through improved delivery mechanisms.
"I want to salute all those learners for their perseverance, effort and
courage in writing the examinations and promoting lifelong learning. We also
are appreciative of employers that observe basic rights in giving learners time
off to write the examinations.
"We call on all employers to observe this basic right to be allowed the
opportunity to write examinations for courses that one has worked so hard
toward. Promoting ABET among employees will not only be beneficial for the
learner themselves but also to their families and employers."
For enquiries contact:
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Issued by: Office of the MEC for Education, Western Cape Provincial
Government
Western Cape
22 March 2006
