The national teachers' strike has been a major blow to public education, and has had a particularly devastating effect on the education of poor, rural and black children. I am pleased that the industrial action is now probably behind us and that we can begin the process of stabilising our schools.
The council of education ministers and I have considered a range of options, including the extension of the school day, classes on weekends and how best to use the September school holidays, to make up for the lost schooling time. All these options would have serious implications for what is already a challenging situation. All considerations and their potential impact are therefore being carefully evaluated and implications considered for action, if need be, and the department will make an announcement on this matter shortly.
Our main focus at this time is that schools remain focused on learning and teaching while our particular focus is on our Grade 12s. There is no time to waste. I have asked all MECs to consider the suspension of all extra-mural activities until the end of the year. All available time must be spent on learning and teaching.
The strike has put the system under severe pressure. I have considered all activities that will impact learning and teaching and have come to the conclusion that we need to postpone the annual national assessments planned for 3 and 4 November for Grade 3, 6 and 9. These assessments will now be conducted in February 2011. I am convinced that this will provide the system with the time and space to ensure that all learners are adequately prepared for these assessments.
My department will distribute exemplars of ANA literacy and numeracy tests to enhance the focus on literacy and numeracy. I also urge all schools to make literacy and numeracy their primary focus and that any enrichment or additional programmes that schools introduce should be premised on the need to improve literacy and numeracy. These are critical foundational skills that learners need in order to be able to learn.
We should also be prepared that the recovery of learning and teaching for our learners will need to continue into 2011. Our Grade 11s will be entering Grade 12 and our younger learners need to strengthen their foundational skills of literacy and numeracy.
Our Grade 12s are deserving of our special support during this time. We need to build their confidence and restore their hope. These young men and women are on the cusp of entering new lives, either the world of work or further and higher education and training. They need all the support they can get. I am calling on all South Africans to rally behind the class of 2010, like we came out in support of Bafana Bafana during the world cup. Provinces will continue to offer special tuition as well as mass revision programmes. We will continue to work in partnership with the SABC. Learners are also urged to make use of the learning support materials on our website (http://www.education.gov.za) as well as the Thutong Education Portal (http://www.thutong.gov.za).
I am confident that the provinces’ recovery plans will strengthen learning and effective preparation for the end of the year examinations. It is important that our Grade 12 learners avail themselves of these opportunities and see this as a chance to achieve their full potential. I also call on parents and communities to encourage Grade 12s to participate in these additional programmes. We have agreed with MECs that each province will communicate regularly with learners and parents to update them on the support programmes being offered.
We will engage all stakeholders, especially the teacher unions on the details of a comprehensive recovery programme to mitigate the challenges we face following the strike. Nothing prevents a school community from deciding, in the interests of learners, to continue with support and enrichment programmes during the holiday period.
In addition to what provinces have put in place, my department will directly assist in those districts where schools have consistently underperformed. We will ensure that our direct interventions will be accompanied with good learning and revision materials and our learners will be placed under the expert guidance of subject specialists.
I am making a special appeal to parents, schools, teachers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to prioritise support to our young people during this time. As we countdown to the start of the examinations on 25 October 2010 we want all South Africans to pull together to support the Class of 2010. As of today, we have 45 days left. Learners must make the most of this time and also take responsibility for their own revision. We have shown during the World Cup that we as South Africans can do anything we put our minds to. Now is the time to support our children. Let’s support the class of 2010!
Enquiries:
Hope Mokgatlhe
Cell: 071 680 6849
Granville Whittle
Cell: 072 148 9575
Source: Department of Education
