We, the people of Soweto: community organisations, faith based structures, organised labour, business, school governing body associations, political organisations, teachers, parents, learners, gathered here on the 9 April 2011, in response to the crisis in education in Greater Soweto and in response to Government’s call to improve quality basic education,
hereby recall:
1. The historic moments and sacrifices made by the youth and communities of Soweto during the 1976 protests against apartheid education
2. The commitment and actions of those who laid down their lives, against Apartheid, for quality education for all
hereby recognise and understand that:
1. Education is a fundamental right for all;
2. Education is critical in freeing our people from the ravages of poverty, underdevelopment, hopelessness and ensuring a better life for all by improving the socio-economic status of individuals and families in disadvantaged communities;
3. Education is a means of promoting good citizenship as well as preparing our people for the needs of a modern developmental economy and a democratic society;
hereby noting that:
1. Soweto schools on average perform 10% to 15% below the provincial average, and are amongst the worst performing in the province;
2. Schooling in Soweto is frequently disrupted by protest actions, unprotected strikes, and meetings during school hours;
3. Many schools remain dysfunctional due to poor management and internal conflict among SGB’s, principals, teachers and/or learners
4. Some schools are unconducive for learning due to ill-discipline, violence, gangsterism, drugs and the carrying of weapons;
5. Many parents, at a huge financial burden, are moving their children to schools outside Soweto in search for a better and quality education;
6. The lack of effective parental participation in governance and the education of their children despite the existence of representative structures;
further noting that:
1. There are interventions across all phases and grades to improve the quality of learning and learner performance, in literacy, mathematics, science and technology;
2. Teacher development is being implemented to affirm the educator as an instructional leader by improving their content knowledge and classroom practice;
3. Textbooks, workbooks, mobile classrooms, grade R classrooms, repairs to existing schools and the building of new schools are being delivered to improve the conditions for teaching and learning;
4. Education programmes are being rolled out to parents in the underperforming schools on how to actively support children in schools and at home;
5. The school Safety and Security Strategy is being implemented in schools to improve conditions, including the fencing of schools and occupational health and safety;
6. Governance and school management training has been rolled out to improve the overall functionality of schools and governing bodies;
believing that we will only achieve functionality and stability in the Soweto education sector if we agree to ensure that:
1. There is an active and valuable partnership amongst the community, families, school governors and managers, educators and learners that the representative planning committee that worked on this summit will take forward the implementation of its resolutions;
2. GDE commits itself to ensuring that Head Office and District Offices provide support to schools that is relevant, appropriate and focused on supporting the classroom as the unit of educational change; and
3. The ongoing improvements can only be achieved in a climate which is conducive for learning and teaching where disruptions and unprotected labour actions are not tolerated.
Hereby declare that:
1. The education of the Soweto child will no longer be compromised;
2. The provision of quality education in the classroom shall be sole priority of the community, school governors, educators, principals and learners each and every day;
3. We will strive tirelessly to ensure that every learner will do well at school and leave our institutions with the values, knowledge, skills and qualifications that will give him/her the best chance of success in adult life;
4. All schools, SGBs, principals, teachers and learners will ensure that teaching and learning happens every school day in a mutually respectful environment.
For more information contact:
Charles Phahlane
Tel: 011 355 1530
Cell: 071 860 4496
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
