Programme Director Mrs Mahlasedi Mhlabane
Executive Mayor; Mr Milton Morema
Minister of Basic Education; Mrs Angie Motshekga
Members of Ministerial Committee
Members of Senior Management
Regional Management Teams
Principals
Officials
Ladies and gentlemen,
I take this time to express our profound appreciation to the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga for setting aside other government commitments to be with us today.
Not only are we humbled by her visit but feel acknowledged and empowered for we know that we are indeed not alone in our quest to deliver quality education in this part of the province.
You all know that it is not the first time that the Honourable Minister chooses to be with us in this District. Last year she made a turn to take stock of how education activities are being rendered here. I want to believe that you all are aware of her impression then.
Some things have changed for the better since then. I can with courage indicate that this District was languishing under 30% pass rate in the 2009 Grade 12 results has since made an improvement of 12% in the 2010 Grade 12 results.
When schools re-opened public representatives visited most of the schools in this District to support and welcome all role players on the first day of schooling.
The report at our disposal and what I personally witnessed confirms that there is indeed a change of heart and the ways of doing things in this District.
The re-opening of schools was without any major glitches. All systems were in place for teaching and learning to take place. In this regard, I want to express my appreciation to the visionary leadership and foresight from the leadership of our schools.
In addition, I want to appreciate the Members of the Executive Council who continue to make education in this part of the province their number one priority.
This is really encouraging and provides an enabling environment for this District to be at the level that all South Africans can be proud of.
It is beginning to send a positive message of hope and provides space to all who seek to render a helping hand to do so knowing that the leadership of this District is not only receptive to our collective messages but also doing something to change the status quo for the better.
I am convinced that things do change because teachers and principals in Bohlabela District are finding reason to emancipate themselves from mediocrity, low levels of performance to excellence in everything they do.
The caretaker District Director is making every effort to work together with all role-players to leverage performance and we are convinced that before he officially hands over the reins an enabling platform would have been made for this District to be counted in the list of excelling institutions.
For us to be at that level, we must admit that there are areas that are not as rosy as we wish, those that still require our undivided attention.
There are still schools whose performance and conduct require decisive actions from all of us collectively. These are schools which show chronic underperformance beside all the support given.
They do not only require that we frown on them but we use them through our actions to send a vivid message to all and sundry that it cannot be business as usual when our children’s future continues to be destroyed by resources meant to make them realise their dreams.
It must be clear that when government made education a priority it meant that children must get into the education system, make the grade to participate actively in the economic emancipation of our country.
It must be clear that we only need that and nothing else.
Your visit today Honourable Minister is confirmation of Government’s position on this matter.
Rest assured that the province will continue to support schools that appreciate the support by showing signs of improvement and we will support as well those that need to be shown the exit gates in the best interest of our children.
We have started on this; however, we would not wish to spoil the mood of celebrating the achievements I alluded to earlier.
Let me take this time once more by welcoming the Minister to address you. I know you are aware that the Minister is not new to the education sector; she has long been very active and has always sought perfection and high levels of professionalism that exudes her character.
She is a peoples’ person, a humble activist and a frank personality. She is here on behalf of the National Government with clear mandates encapsulated in her delivery agreement with President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.
I remember clearly what the President said on this issue “Government must work smart and faster” this applies to all of us.
Programme director; allow me to invite the Honourable Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga to address us.
Ngiyabonga!
