Question No. 46
Ms N Gina (African National Congress) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether the interventions her department made in schools which underperformed in the 2008 national senior certificate examinations were successful; if not, (a) what are the challenges and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure a further improvement in underperforming schools in the future; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
There is evidence to suggest that the interventions contributed to improved performance in some of the schools. Out of a total of 701 schools that the Department of Basic Education visited and provided support, 321 schools had an increased pass rate in 2009 compared to 2008.
a. The challenges noted from the school monitoring visits included the shortage of teachers, especially in mathematics, accounting and physical science. This is also compounded by the delay in filling of vacant posts. Schools also reported a shortage of textbooks and inadequate supply of resource materials required for teaching.
b. The department is developing an education sector plan that seeks to improve the system in general. However, in 2010 the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with provincial education departments, have planned to support schools in a number of ways. These include using the lessons learnt in 2009 during school visits to provide dedicated support.
The Department has also analysed subject performance results by province and district, studied chief markers and the Umalusi reports to guide the intervention support strategies in 2010. These reports will enhance the plan for the training of teachers in subject advisors in subject content knowledge. In addition, the department will exercise closer monitoring of schools.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
2 March 2010
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za)
