Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angelina Motshekga, with the Deputy Minister Mr Enver Surty held the first Council of Education Ministers of the new administration, welcoming them to their respective positions as the plot the direction for the sector going forward.
The National Department (DBE) Presented the Basic Education Sector plan 2014 – 2019, which aligned the updated sector plan to the National Development Plan (NDP), Vision 2030, as well as the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and ministerial priorities, incorporating outcomes of the ruling party Lekgotla and 10 key strategic levers for radical transformation.
The Council of Education Ministers have condemned the protest action in some communities that results in disruptions to schooling. In recent months learners in parts of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga were prevented from going to school on matters unrelated to education.
Basic Education Minister Mrs Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister Enver Surty and all the Member of the Executive Councils (MECs) of Education were concerned about the violent protests in several areas around the country. The protests have a direct impact on schools even though the issues raised were not related to education.
"The protesters must not use learners as a bargaining chip to achieve their goals could not be tolerated. Having just come from Youth month we are reminded of the sacrifices made to give our children a decent education and a violation of our future generations’ right to education goes against everything we stand for as a country and Government," said Minister Motshekga.
Provincial Education Departments presented their plans and priorities in the meeting. Some of the common priorities highlighted by provincial MEC’s included:
- Improved quality of teaching and learning through development, supply and effective utilisation of teachers.
- Provision of adequate, quality infrastructure and Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM).
- Tracking of learner performance through reporting and analysis of the Annual National Assessment (ANA) at Gr 3, 6 and 9 level and improving ANA over time to ensure appropriate feedback to learners and teachers and to benchmark performance over time.
- Expanded access to Early Childhood Development and improvement of the quality of Grade R.
- Strengthening accountability and improving management at the school, community and district level.
- Partnerships for education reform and improved quality.
It was agreed that quality and efficiency would underpin the work of the departments during this new term. All MECs committed to working together to achieve their targets.
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