10 March 2009
âA plan of action to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the
Eastern Capeâ- that is the theme for the two day provincial Education Summit to
be held at the Education Leadership Institute in East London this week, 12 to
13 March 2009.
Headlining the event, with a comprehensive state of provincial education
address, will be Provincial Education MEC Mahlubandile Qwase, and the special
guests over the two days will include National Education Minister Mrs Naledi
Pandor, Limpopo Education MEC Dr Motsoaledi, and Wits Universityâs Dean of
Education, Prof. Mary Metcalf.
Preceding this weekâs planned deliberations has been pre-summits that were
held at all 23 districts, with an aim of achieving inclusive consultation to
allow for local plus community level participation and input.
The districts are sending six representatives for full participation in each
of the Commissions that will form the backbone of the summit. Amongst the main
issues scheduled to be discussed in the summit is the recent drop in the matric
pass-rate from 56,9% in 2007 to 50,6% in 2008, the Eastern Cape emerged as the
lowest of the nine provinces.
According to the education departmentâs project plan, the target of the
summit will comprise of the different education stakeholders, in a bid to
develop interventions that will improve the quality of teaching and learning in
the province.
It is expected that all related stakeholders will be able to evaluate the
progress of the education sector following the 2005/14 transformation agendaâs
declaration and resolutions which was set out almost four years ago.
In addition, a plan for a better service delivery model in support of
quality teaching and learning in schools, colleges, and all Adult Basic
Education and Training (ABET) centres in the province is amongst the objectives
of the summit.
It is anticipated that the summit will bring forth a consensus amongst the
department and its stakeholders to play collective roles and take
responsibility towards an improvement of the quality of teaching and learning
in public schools in the province by adhering to the agreed processes.
Members of the media are especially invited to join the open sessions of the
programme as these will comprise comprehensive analyses of the current state of
our education system.
Enquiries:
Loyiso Pulumani
Cell: 083 275 0675
Tel: 040 608 4797
Nomzekelo Kewuti
Cell: 082 292 2207
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
10 March 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)