Education under spotlight at Taking Parliament to the People
Racism, abuse of power by school principals, children walking over 7kms to school are some of the key issues community members raised during today’s proceedings on the second day of the Taking Parliament to the People programme in Oudtshoorn.
Held under the theme “Working together to expand education opportunities for our people,” today’s hearings were well attended with over 3 500 participants in attendance.
Basic Education Deputy Minister Mr Enver Surty said that principals are very important in the institutions of learning and the department has realised that schools that are successful and functional are generally led by people who possess all the required skills, for this reason “the department will ensure that principals and deputies are exposed to appropriate training.”
“School principals are very important because they are professional leaders and managers of the institutions of learning. It is important that they have appropriate skills for a particular position,” said Mr Surty.
More than 12 500 principals across the country are enrolled in courses to improve their skills while about 4 000 principals and deputies have already completed their training, he said.
“This training has made a good impact on the functionality of schools and we will ensure we amend legislation and policy to ensure principals and deputies are appointed in a manner that ensures their skills are tested and the department plays a much more important role,” Mr Surty said.
Mr Surty undertook to work with the Western Cape Education Member of the Executive Council to ensure that all the issues raised are attended to.
National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Deputy Chairperson, Mr Raseriti Tau, used the opportunity to emphasise the importance of upholding the constitutional rights of citizens. He said it was important to afford people the opportunity to state their case and for those who are implicated in wrongdoing to explain. This was the essence of our democracy.
The NCOP is currently sitting in Oudtshoorn for its week-long programme which started on Monday.
The programme continues tomorrow with public hearings on Agriculture, Economic Development, Youth and Labour issues, and Land Reform whereas site visits running parallel to the hearings will be to correctional centres, health care centres and farms around the area.
The programme will culminate in a formal sitting on Friday to be addressed by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.
A draft itinerary of the week-long programme is attached.
Media wishing to attend should forward their details for accreditation to Manelisi Ntsodo at mntsodo@parliament.gov.za or on 083 985 7047.
Details required are: Full name, ID/passport number, name of media organisation and media group, designation (writer, photographer, for example), telephone number, and cell phone number.
NB: Accreditation is available at the Thusong Centre in Bongolethu, which within a one kilometre radius from the Brigton Sports Grounds.
