23 February 2009
The Council of Education Ministers met today in Johannesburg for its final
scheduled meeting under this administration, and considered the following
matters.
Matric results
The Minister shared with MECs the report of the task team into the delay in
the release of matric results, and council discussed some of the findings in
the report. According to the report a variety of factors contributed to delays,
including incompetence or neglect of duty in some cases, but also systemic
issues at a national level, some related to the new computer system being used.
In most cases, the delays were as a result of a tightening up of the system,
and a lack of compliance with the new requirements.
The report has been referred to the Committee of Heads of Education (HEDCOM)
to take the necessary follow-up action. A report to council today indicated how
each of the matters identified in the report will be addressed before the 2009
examinations. Council is confident that this situation will not be repeated.
The department has apologised to all candidates whose results were delayed, and
has appealed to any who feel they have been unduly prejudiced to contact the
department to see if any redress can be provided.
The task-team report will be provided to the Office of the Public Protector
and to the Human Rights Commission.
National Senior Certificate (NSC) supplementary examinations
Supplementary examinations, which started on 17 February for over 123 000
candidates, are progressing well. Final results of the NSC class of 2008 will
be released on a date to be announced.
Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign
Council agreed to intensify the implementation of the Quality Learning and
Teaching Campaign, a social compact between the education department and other
role-players, including unions, student organisations, as well as School
Governing Body (SGB) and community organisations. It was stressed that the
focus on the "non-negotiables" for each stakeholder could support a significant
improvement in quality teaching, learning and administrative support. The
report indicates a valuable set of engagements between district level officials
and teacher union leaders, as well as with the Education Portfolio Committee of
Parliament.
Quarterly infrastructure report
The report showed that all provinces have made satisfactory progress in the
completion of capital projects during 2008. It was noted that 248 schools had
been damaged in recent storms around the country. Provinces indicated that this
had put pressure on available infrastructure, and in some cases temporary
facilities and other contingency arrangements had been used to accommodate
affected learners.
Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) level 2 classes ready for Kha Ri
Gude graduates
The Kha Ri Gude campaign that was started in all provinces last year has
reached over 350 000 learners, who are currently being assessed and encouraged
to advance to level 2 ABET classes. The campaign will reach 700 000 learners
this year.
Dinaledi schools
A report on the 2008 NSC results of Dinaledi schools revealed that 16
Dinaledi schools join the maths 100 club (those schools with over 100 learners
passing maths at 50 percent and over). Of these Dinaledi schools seven are in
Gauteng, four in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and four in Limpopo. There are also five
Dinaledi schools with more than 100 learners passing physical science at 50
percent or over.
The Minister introduced the "Club 100" initiative in 2006 to highlight the
number of mathematics higher-grade passes at a school. Qualifying schools, with
at least 100 such passes, receive a cash prize of R25 000 from First National
Bank (FNB) and a further R25 000 from the Department of Education (DoE).
In 2007 only 14 schools, mostly former Model C institutions, produced 100 or
higher grade mathematics passes last year, making them eligible for membership
of the exclusive club 100. Council was pleased to note that in 2008, an
additional 58 schools had joined the club, including:
School meals for secondary schools
Funds have been made available to expand the National School Nutrition
Programme (NSNP) to quintile 1 secondary schools as from April 2009.
Departmental officials have visited provinces to assess the state of readiness
to initiate this, and to finalise plans for the implementation of this
programme.
Eastern Cape intergovernmental protocol signed
Following a request from the Eastern Cape Province (ECP), the Department of
Education has agreed to assist the provincial department in various areas. An
Intergovernmental Protocol was signed today by the Minister and the MEC for
Education in the Eastern Cape to give legal effect to this agreement.
General education certificate
Council agreed to select a representative sample of schools for purposes of
piloting the national assessment of Grade nine learners. These schools will
assist us to prepare for the introduction of the General Education Certificate
(GEC), which will be available to all learners from 2010.
Textbooks
Provinces were congratulated on the significant improvement in the delivery
of learning and teaching support material for the 2009 school year. This has
ensured that teaching and learning can commence from day 1, and should
contribute to improved performance this year.
Funding to small schools
The council agreed to revise the funding norms for small schools, which will
guarantee them a minimum allocation from the departments to ensure that they
can function properly. These changes will be further consulted with school
governing bodies.
Review of school funding
Council discussed possible amendments to the South African Schools Act and
the National norms and standards for school funding to overcome many of the
problems faced in relation to quintiles and fee exemptions, and with a view to
bringing about greater equity. These draft amendments have been widely
consulted, and attracted wide support from a variety of stakeholders.
Council approved the broad thrust of the proposals, but indicated it
required further time to discuss the amendments, which will constitute a major
reform in public school funding. Once council is satisfied with the amendments,
they will be released to the public for comment.
Electioneering in schools
Council agreed that political parties should not conduct any campaigning
directed at learners or teachers during school time, and called upon all
role-players and political leaders to respect teaching and learning time, and
to ensure that teachers or learners were not taken out of class for any reason.
Teachers and learners should not be allowed to attend campaign meetings during
school hours.
Council expressed concern about the place of billboards on school property,
and urged the department to develop guidelines on school billboards, especially
regarding the advertising of alcohol or tobacco products, as well as political
messages. This would be attended to.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Education
23 February 2009
