principals
9 February 2007
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Education MEC Ina Cronje and education head Dr Cassius
Lubisi encouraged and motivated principals and district officials of the
underperforming Obonjeni district in a heart-to-heart talk in Hluhluwe.
All principals of schools that obtained less than 50% in the 2006 matric
examination had to attend the meeting where Dr Cassius Lubisi explained the
Department's bold steps to eliminate disfunctional schools and improve the
performance in the KZN's high schools.
District officials and circuits then had to present their own turn around
strategies, based on the blue print of the Department. Dr Lubisi made it clear
that they were not there to moan about the poor results but to turn it around,
"like a phoenix out of the ashes."
MEC Cronje told the principals and officials that they are part of the
Department, they are not first class or third class officials or principals.
"If you fail, we fail. If you succeed we succeed. We are here to support you.
There is one department and you are part of that department."
Emphasising the importance to act in a child's best interest, she quoted
Ginot: "I have come to a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in
the classroom⦠In all situations it is my response that decides whether a
crisis will escalate or de-escalate, and a child humanised or dehumanised."
She referred to the importance of the correct response to poor performance
and used the example of Sizaminqubeko Secondary to proof that a school can turn
around. Sizaminqubeko had a 28.13% pass in 2005 but jumped to 100% in 2006 with
double the number of candidates.
To be situated in the poverty lap poses big challenges, but while the
government has a lot of plans in place to address the intense poverty, we have
to address the education issues, otherwise we will doom the children to
perpetual poverty. It is very difficult to succeed without education, said MEC
Cronje
"It gives me great pain to realise that in this area 51 out of every 100
children failed. These are real people, real children, our African children.
How can we live with that? How can we sleep at night? How can we say to
ourselves that what we are doing here is in the best interest of our children?.
There is a difference between sitting at a desk and being educated. Let us not
fool ourselves. Just because the name of a child is on our books does not mean
that the child is being educated."
She said that time on task cannot just be a slogan and instructed managers
to monitor late coming and absenteeism. "This robbing our children of their
share of time is one of the biggest problems and parents' patience is running
out, in fact they are gatvol, I appeal to our parents to also monitor it."
She said that there are some teachers who have genuine reasons to be absent
for long periods, however the rule that no class should be without a teacher
must always be applied, using the pool of temporary teachers. Running private
businesses during school hours are out, she said, using an example of a teacher
that won a quote to provide catering during school hours to a municipality. All
educators and officials, who want to do any other remunerative work, have to
get permission from the head of the Department.
This rule also applies to council work. Full-time councillors had to resign
as teaching is not a part-time job and those who did obtain permission must
realise that it was conditional and that it should not clash with their
educational duties. "You cannot be at a council meeting during school time,"
she said.
Preparation for lessons is essential. According to the former teacher "One
has to be more knowledgeable than the children. There are text books, networks
and we have increased the subject advisors," said the former teacher.
MEC Cronje said that not enough time is given to written assignments and
homework. "The Department identified the performance in English Second Language
as a weakness. Children have to write in English as a subject but also in
history and other subjects. They need to learn to express their thoughts
coherently. Even a nuclear physicist must be able to read and write."
"I have come to a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in the
classroom. Let us rise up and build."
For more information please contact:
Christi Naude
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
Tel: 033-3552453
Fax: 033-3420275
Cell: 0832628829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
9 February 2007
