25 May 2006
Hundreds of teachers from across the province will this weekend gather to
share ideas on practical solutions to the challenges teachers and learners face
in their classrooms.
The conference starts on Friday, 26 May 2006, from 13h30 and ends on
Saturday, 27 May 2006, 14h00, and takes place at the Cape Teaching Institute
(CTI) in Kuilsriver.
Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore will open the proceedings with an
address based on the theme of his Budget Speech: "Each one teach one together
we can build learning home for all".
This is the first conference of its kind at the CTI, which is a unique
in-service training campus of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)
previously a teacher training college.
Delegates will be accommodated on site and put in long hours outside of
their teaching time to give papers, run workshops and learn from others as
well. A feature of the conference will be that sessions will be offered in all
the three languages of the province.
The plenary sessions will include an address by Ncebakazi Faith Saliwa, Head
of the Language Unit at the Provincial Legislature, author, editor and Xhosa
language activist. She is expected to challenge the delegates with questions
about their own readiness to work with the new curriculum.
Dr Kathleen Heugh of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and notable
scholar will table a frank and hard hitting paper about what research tells us
about learner achievement in the schooling system: she will challenge the
delegates on what their role would need to be to achieve a learning turnaround
in their schools.
Brian Schreuder, Deputy Director-General for Education Planning of the WCED
and head of the provincial Literacy and Numeracy Strategy will wrap up the
proceedings on Saturday with a preview into the strategy, which will be
launched in July.
The fifteen parallel sessions offer a varied selection of topics with a
strong emphasis on reading and practical classroom techniques and displays by
publishers will showcase the solutions that they have to offer. The conference
is modelled on the very successful series of conferences held by the WCED on
Assessment and Assessment Solutions.
Says MEC Dugmore: "Research is clear that language problems affect far more
than just learner attainment in the language classroom: the impact hits all
subjects. My message is that it takes a whole community to turn a school
around."
Languages solutions conference: Programme
Friday, 26 May 2006
13:30 - 14:00: Registration, refreshments and exhibits
14:00 - 14:05: National Anthem and inspirational thought
14:05 - 14:15: Welcome
14:30 - 15:30: Address by MEC Education: Mr Cameron Dugmore, "Each one teach
one: Together we can build a learning home for all"
15:30 - 16:30: Keynote speaker: Ms Ncebakazi Faith Saliwa, Senior Language
Practitioner, Western Cape Provincial Parliament "School readiness to receive
and implement Language policies and the New Curriculum".
16:30 - 17:00: Refreshments
17:00 - 18:00: Parallel sessions
Saturday, 27 May 2006
08:00 - 08:30: Registration, tea / coffee
08:30 - 08:35: Inspirational thought
08:40 - 09:40: Keynote speaker: Dr Kathleen Heugh, Human Sciences Research
Council (HSRC) "Lessons from Research about Language and Language of Learning
and Teaching (LOLT)"
09:50 - 10:50: Parallel sessions
10:50 - 11:15: Refreshments
11:15 - 12:15: Parallel sessions
12:15 - 13:00: Conference closure: Mr Brian Schreuder Deputy Director General
for Education Planning and Development
13:00 - 13:10: Vote of thanks: Mr Eddie Kirsten, Director: Human Resource
Development
13:10 - 13:30: Lucky draw
Pick up packed lunch and depart for home
Enquiries: Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
25 May 2006
