intensify the Gauteng Recovery Plan
13 July 2007
In mitigating the potential adverse impact on learner performance due to
industrial action, the MEC of Education in Gauteng, Angie Motshekga has met
with teacher unions to intensify the recovery plan that started on Monday, 2
July 2007. Essentially the plan is aimed at ensuring that curriculum outcomes
are attained by the end of the academic year. Furthermore, it provides a basis
for continuation of curriculum catch up and maintenance programmes that have
already started in Gauteng.
This would ensure intensification of teaching and learning across all
grades, optimal use of notional time and access to requisite Learning and
Teaching Support Material (LTSM). In addition to this plan, appropriate
recovery plans would need to be developed at classroom, school and district
levels.
This plan of action assumes the following:
* that learners in different phases and age groups would need different
approaches, based on educationally sound practices
* that teaching and learning had taken place in first and greater part of
second academic quarter and that it would still continue as per the work
schedules in the third and fourth academic quarters
* that Learning Areas Subjects are different and have been affected differently
and therefore would require different approaches as well.
Guiding principles:
* that learners have experienced varying degrees of disruptions to their
academic year
* co-ownership between Gauteng Department of Education and unions
* advocacy to all stakeholders for buy in, i.e. departmental officials,
educators, learners, parents, school governing bodies (SGBs) and any other
interested parties
* recognising that some learners, from grade R to 12 in schools, do not have
mid-term report cards as per the Assessment Policy and National Protocol on
recording and reporting
* recognising that all grades are equally important and should receive
appropriate resources, support, emphasis and recognition
* extra-curricular activities that are not critical will be suspended so that
all the available time could be used for completion of learning programmes and
syllabi
* acknowledging that in the event that evidence indicates the need for
additional teaching time, appropriate measures will be taken.
There will be a definite need to revise work schedules and lesson plans for
the remaining time with a view to intensify and fast track teaching and
learning across the grades.
Foundation Phase: Grade R to 3
Foundation phase learners would still need to use the allocated contact time
for their learning programmes, because any increase in time for these young
learners would have negative effect on their progress. It is imperative that
teachers in this phase build in the catch up plan within the phase (grade R,
three and four year programme). This calls for the revising of work schedules
and lesson plans for the remaining time. The focus will be on reading, writing
and calculating.
Intermediate phase: Grade 4 to 6
Intermediate phase learners would also need to use the allocated contact
time for their learning programmes, because any increase in time for these
young learners would have negative effect on them. Learners in this phase are
overwhelmed with eight learning programmes and the language of learning and
teaching (LOLT), which in most cases is not their home language. It is
imperative that teachers in this phase build in the catch up plan within the
phase (grade 3, 4, 6 and 7 year programme. The focus will be on reading,
writing (in the LOLT) and mathematics.
Senior phase: Grade 7 to 9
It is imperative that teachers in this phase build in the catch up plan
within the phase (grade 7 to 9 year programme). However, grade nine have to sit
for Common Tasks for Assessment (CTAs) at the end of the year that count 25%
towards promotion requirements, therefore the focus will be on fast tracking
and intensification of teaching and learning.
Further Education and Training (FET) phase grade 10 to 12
In this phase learners have to sit for grade 11 common exams and grade 12
examination. It is therefore critical that the learning programmes in grade 11
and syllabus in grade 12 are completed. This calls for the revision of pace
setters and lesson plans.
Assessment programme
For the implementation of all examination and assessment activities it
depends on the district assessment officials as well as school management
officials to ensure that the quality of examinations and assessment activities
are closely monitored, controlled and executed. Time frames for the completion
of both the year mark Continuous Assessment (CASS) and the end of the year
examinations should be compromised and there is still adequate time to ensure
that all tasks required for these two aspects are successfully completed. Any
curriculum recovery plan must therefore include the completion of all
assessment tasks as well.
Prep examinations: Monday, 13 August 2007 to Friday 14 September 2007.
Oral and practical moderation: Monday, 16 July to Friday, 10 August 2007.
End of year written exams Senior Certificate Examination (SCE): Wednesday, 3
October to Wednesday, 21 November 2007.
Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) exams: Monday, 1 October 2007 to
Tuesday, 30 October 2007.
Grade 11: Monday 22 October to Tuesday, 27 November 2007.
Grade 9 CTAs:
Section A: Monday, 15 October 2007 to Friday, 9 November 2007.
Section B: Tuesday 13 November 2007 to Friday. 23 November 2007.
E-learning solutions
* To provide educator development for district facilitators and school-based
educators in the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the
classroom.
* To provide development on the use of technology and learning design to
support curriculum delivery.
The MEC is making a special appeal to all the parents of Gauteng to support
our learners and educators as they prepare for the exam room end of the
year.
Enquiries:
Kate Bapela
Office of the MEC for Education
Cell: 083 447 6505
Tel: 011 355 0965
E-mail: kate.bapela@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
13 July 2007
