It was all glitz and glamour at the Mont d’Or Lodge in Clarens, in Thabo Mofutsanyane district as Kagiso Trust (KT) hosted a gala dinner for stakeholders; this is after a hectic schedule of sporting activities for learners from 10 schools affiliated to the Beyers Naudé Schools Development
Programme (BNSDP).
The intention of the dinner was to hold a round table discussion and to present a high level report on the impact of the BNSDP. Reflecting on highlights achieved in the Free State, Mr Yoyo Sibisi, Senior Programme Manager at Kagiso Trust said the BNSDP involves an integrated intervention at rural secondary schools in order to improve the overall performance at so-called ‘dysfunctional’ or ‘under performing’ schools.
“The intervention deals with the development of systems, improvement of administration and management in order to improve the quality of teaching, learning and management. This takes place through management training, upgrading mathematics and science at schools, team building for both educators and learners as well as on site support and monitoring. It also looks at collaborative ways of eliminating infrastructure backlogs impacting on school effectiveness.”
A panel discussion was held during the dinner. The CEO of Kagiso Trust, Mr Kgotso Schoeman presented; ‘Kagiso Trust perspective on increasing BNSDP scope in Qwaqwa’. Schoeman said Government should engage and form relationships with teacher unions and bring them into confidence. He said the partnership should come up with methodologies to let learners learn beyond teachers, and learn without teachers as in the past. He said KT will integrate the programme in primary and secondary schools to create a hub of education in Qwaqwa.
Dr Paul Bayliss of ABSA who presented; ‘Lessons learnt through partnership in fighting poverty through education’, said partnership is like marriage in that honesty is required to make the marriage work. He said partners, should have a common vision and understanding to improve performance in schools. On the other hand they should know each other’s limitations, strengths and weaknesses.
Mr Kevin Abrahams, the Chief Director for Infrastructure in the Free State Department of Education presented ‘Free State education situational analysis.’ He said schools should be supported holistically. He said the support can be in the form of resourcing schools and capacity building of educators. According to Abrahams we have to go back to the basics and follow best practice models.
In his closing remarks, the MEC for Education, Honourable Tate Makgoe said the new dispensation has succeeded in increasing and extending access to education for all.
“We need to do what needs to be done. We have to turn things around and with the support we get through partnerships such as with KT and ABSA, this is possible. We need the support of business, any form of support and not only money. The BNSDP will enhance functional stakeholder participation and ownership of affairs at the schools, general cohesiveness amongst learners, educators, the principals and school governing bodies in the management of the affairs of the school.”
The MEC emphasised that all education stakeholders and role players should join hands together to support education initiatives. According to the MEC the department has to make a difference and put more efforts than its partners to reach its goals. He said our education must help us to build a prosperous country.
“We are committed to mobilising parents to support their children. We also have to discuss with school management and governance developers (SMGDs) about how we can replicate what KT has done. South Africa is not producing enough engineers and other related scarce skills. We believe that if we engage with our partners we will be able to sustain a South Africa of our dreams.”
The MEC commended and thanked all partners who participated in the programme, with special reference to Kagiso Trust, ABSA, Dreamfields, Active Learning and Radio Orange.
Enquiries:
Solly Magalefa
Tel: 051 404 8314
Cell: 082 573 3404
E-mail: magalefasn@edu.fs.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
21 September 2009
Source: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za/)
