Education, Mme Ouma Tsopo, at the launch of the Roundabout Playpumps and prizes
and certificates giving for the Baswa le Meetse (Youth and Water) arts
competition
22 March 2007
Programme director
Members of the Senior Management Service (SMS) from government departments
present
Officials from Head Office
Distinguished guests
Educators
School Governing Body (SGB) members present
Parents
Learners
Ladies and gentlemen
I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to address you on behalf of the
Honourable MEC for Education in the Free State, Mme Ouma Tsopo, who because of
other commitments is unable to attend this august occasion. It is indeed a
privilege for me to be part of an event of this magnitude as we sign the
Memorandum of Collaboration with our partners, the Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry (DWAF) as well as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. We
are also grateful to launch the Roundabout Playpumps and give prizes and
certificates for Baswa le Meetse (Youth and Water) arts competition.
Ladies and gentlemen we all know how important water is in our everyday
lives, if we did not care about it we would not be here today. Water is the
major part of our composition as humans, it covers most of the earth's surface
and hydrogen and oxygen, the chemical components of water are around us
everywhere in the atmosphere. It is indeed around us everywhere and in all
ways.
Ironically many parts of the world are short of water and the southern tip
of Africa is no exception. The lack of water causes dreadful droughts and
deadly diseases. We as a country need to guard this precious and valuable
resource in every way possible. Without it there is no food, without it there
is disease, without it our planet earth would look like just another planet
that is blank, cold and empty without a plant to be seen, without it in fact
there is no life at all.
To promote the importance of this resource, the Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry and the Department of Education have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding, which commits both parties to close co-operation. DWAF realises
how important it is to inculcate the right attitudes towards water in the youth
of today to preserve our tomorrows, while the Department of Education in turn
realises how well DWAF will be able to assist young people to appreciate the
importance of water. A day like today is therefore a perfect example of this
important collaboration. DWAF also has many wonderful resources to share with
our schools.
What the learners are doing today in the Baswa le Meetse competition is a
vital part of their education, particularly in terms of the new outcomes based
approach. They are not only learning in theory about the importance of water,
they are demonstrating their understanding of important concepts by treating us
all to drama, music, poetry and praise singing and poster creation, all in the
name of water. You the learners will in fact be teaching us about waterand in
fact if you can teach someone else what you know, that is the best possible
proof that you know the subject.
The Education Department is a firm partner with the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry in terms of the 2020 Vision for Water Education Programme.
This has included such projects as the Water Audit competition and numerous
water weeks. The Youth Water Prize has encouraged project work in Natural
Sciences. As the Free State we are proud that our provincial winner in 2001
represented us in the International competition in Stockholm.
All these competitions and awareness programmes have the same
objectives:
* To make young people aware of the importance of water and the vital role
it plays on our planet. A further irony is demonstrated when there is too much
water and floods occur. This also brings devastation and disease. Water in fact
teaches us that there should be a balance in life � not too much and not too
little.
* To make young people realise that they should work sparingly and carefully
with water, learning how to prepare for tomorrow and not simply thinking of
today.
* To make young people realise how important water is for health and sanitation
in terms of washing hands for prevention of disease and by keeping personal
living quarters clean.
* To make young people aware of the importance of preserving the environment,
as a sound supply of water depends on an environment that is healthy. In an
unhealthy environment the water runs away removing top soil, no food can be
grown and no water is left for drinking purposes. The private sector need also
to be conscientised as to the vital role they play in keeping our streams,
rivers and rivulets healthy and unpolluted.
This approach and these ideas should become an ingrained part of our
education systems. Outcomes Based Education in fact stresses the importance not
only of the environment but also of the values we need to deal with this
environment in a sensitive and caring way. Thus constant collaboration between
us as education and our sister departments is absolutely vital.
Programme director, education is not something that can occur haphazardly.
Parents, educators, learners and educational officials, including the private
and business sector are together architects of the culture of learning and
teaching in our schools and communities. Education is so important that
individually and collectively we cannot afford to abdicate the responsibility
of properly educating our children to chance or to other people. Quality
education will empower us as a nation to raise our living standard, to
participate in the economic growth of the country and to compete in the global
economy.
Partnerships of this sort with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,
the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as well as ABSA, are vital to enable
us to reach the goals I have outlined above. It therefore stands to reason that
government cannot do everything by itself and neither can communities do
everything by themselves. We need the support and assistance of organisations
such as ABSA to achieve our goals of improving the lives of all citizens of the
Free State and South Africa in general because when forces are joined the
chances of success are much enhanced.
To all the winners, the recipients of the prizes and certificates, I would
like to say, receiving this recognition today places a heavy burden on you to
continue to work hard and plough back to your schools and communities the
wealth of knowledge that you have acquired. We expect you to become passionate
advocates of learning, motivators and sources of inspiration for others. You
have done well but you have only begun the journey.
The prizes and certificates you get today should be a symbol of hope and a
spear to rejuvenate you to continue in your endeavours. It is also an
affirmation that your hard work did not in vain and is highly appreciated. It
is a symbol of appreciation from all involved in this initiative. Programme
director, according to the Strategy and Tactics Document, "our fundamental
point of departure is that South Africans have it in their power, as people and
as part of progressive humankind, to continually change the environment in
which we operate in the interest of a better future." With these kinds of
interventions, strategies and partnerships, we are clearly on the path to
opening doors of learning and culture for all in compliance with the Freedom
Charter.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
22 March 2007
Source: Free State Provincial Government, (http://www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za)
