Ministers' meeting held at the Garden Court Hotel, Kempton Park,
Johannesburg
19 June 2007
Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister Enver Surty,
Provincial Education MECs and officials met yesterday afternoon in a special
meeting convened to discuss the impact of the strike on learning and teaching
and to discuss a proposed recovery plan for the education sector.
Each province reported on the impact of the strike on schools, parents and
learners.
The meeting agreed that once the strike has ended each province should
liaise with representative unions to determine further strategies to support
learning.
Given that ten days have been lost CEM felt it is possible to catch up on
time lost. There are 117 days left this year including weekends until the
matric exams start and 160 days for all other learners. Learners should use
every hour (at least 7 hours) and every day available.
CEM was confident that teachers will support schools to catch up on
learning. "We have faced challenges before and our teachers have shown that
with our support and the support of parents we can make things work for the
better," said Minister Pandor.
The meeting resolved that the Ministry of Education should consult National
Treasury in order to explore measures to secure resource support for our
education recovery plan. Any resources secured will be used on learning
materials, as well as the use of print, radio and digital media to reach and
support learners.
CEM agreed that an urgent priority is to finalise mid year exams and to ask
universities to be flexible in regard to closing dates.
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel: 012 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Education
19 June 2007
