Our core mandate as the department is to provide learning and teaching in our schools. Oliver Tambo once said: “A nation that does not take care of its youth and education has no future”. Fortunately, we are a nation that takes serious care of its youth and as such we have a secured future. We have done so well as a province in terms of improving access to education, especially among children of school-going age. Thanks to the progressive policies such as no fee schools policy.
The government recognises it cannot do everything on its own. It requires partnerships with people and institutions who want to be involved in improving the quality of education for the good of democracy. The obvious one in this instance is the alleviation of over-crowding.
We welcome the contribution by the mining company. Mining remains one of the pillars of the provincial economy. It is indeed a welcome gesture that mining companies assist communities in which they mine.
The presidential infrastructure development commission says infrastructure is critical to unlock economic opportunities and promote job creation. This is exactly what we are witnessing here today. During the construction of these blocks jobs were created, the economic well-being of the local people became active. There is no doubt that the construction of this block strengthened social cohesion.
Dyondzo i xitlhangu (Education is a shield). The National Development Plan - the vision South Africa wants be in 2030 says at that time there should be quality school education, with globally competitive literacy and numeracy standards. The Annual National Assessment (ANA) examinations have started two days ago. These tests are administered to find out whether a child needs extra help or not. We have not done well as the province in terms of the previous ANA results. I appeal to teachers to identify the challenges and improve on them so as to reach the anticipated annual target of 60% in 2014.
As you are aware the admission for 2014 academic year has commenced, I expect you to make sure that by the end of October the process is complete. Let us go out and conscientise our communities about early registration of their children.
Programme director
We are here to officially hand-over this block to the school and the community at large. The community, the principal, teachers and the learners are the custodians of this institution. We are leaving these beautiful buildings in your hands. Happy is the community that respects and treasures its resources.
Let me state this fact programme director that challenges will erupt here and there as we live and work together. My appeal to you is to please develop positive problems solving mechanisms. Whatever the differences in the school or the community let that not affect learning and teaching. Resolve your differences in a manner that leaves education undisturbed.
We all know for a fact that provision of LTSM is a critical component to providing successful curriculum. There won’t be any schooling if there are no learning, teaching and support materials. I would like to make it known that the ordering of books has been done and that delivery is expected soon.
We have come here in the middle of quarterly tests and trial examinations. We wish everybody all the best of luck in their final year examinations. We strongly believe that you will do us proud just like your predecessors. And remember this year’s target is 75%
Once more I would like to thank everybody who contributed to the success of this project.
Inkomu! Ndi a livhuwa! Ke a leboga!
