4 July 2007
A special meeting of the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) was convened
this morning at the O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The
meeting was attended by the Minister of Education, N Pandor, provincial
education MECs, and senior officials.
The primary aim of the meeting was to consolidate approaches towards the
national recovery plan for education following the recent strike action by
teachers.
The meeting received reports from all provinces on the strategies and
recovery plans developed by them, in line with the national recovery plan.
These plans are tailored to intensify the learner support strategies developed
in the national plan.
Minister Pandor expressed her appreciation for these provincial plans, and
indicated her confidence that these would assist in promoting the recovery of
lost learning opportunities. Provinces were urged to ensure that the plans were
fully implemented, and were closely monitored.
The meeting agreed that there could be no link between the recovery plan and
the rule of 'no work, no pay,' which would be applied by all departments.
Any arrangement in respect to winter schools will be based on practices as
determined by provinces.
In taking forward the negotiation process, CEM agreed that further
communication with the unions and all other stakeholders on the Occupation
Specific Dispensation (OSD), and what it seeks to achieve. The goal of this is
to improve the remuneration of teachers, while ensuring a continuing
improvement in the quality of education.
Learning from the experiences arising from the national and provincial
reports, the meeting also agreed that the materials (including the study mates
and other supplements), which are currently being distributed to schools as
part of the recovery plan, should be made permanent features of the education
system.
The meeting also expressed its appreciation to the thousands of dedicated
teachers who have indicated a readiness to return to schools as volunteers and
welcomed their continued contribution to education.
Issued by: Ministry of Education
4 July 2007
