14 May 2007
The Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) expressed its strong support in
Pretoria yesterday for the proposed Education Laws Amendment Bill published for
public comment by the Minister of Education last week. HEDCOM, consisting of
all heads of education in the country or their representatives, said it was
"ludicrous" and nowhere to be found in the draft legislation that school
governing bodies may be fined (as alleged by some media and commentators).
HEDCOM added that only the Head of Education in the provinces have the ultimate
responsibility for "correcting any under-performance".
Minister Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Education, published the 32-paged
Education Laws Amendment Bill last week in the Government Gazette for public
comment before 29 May. HEDCOM urged interested parties to read the actual text
of the legislation and not rely on misleading reports about what it contained.
The Bill is gazetted and published on the website of the Department of
Education: http://www.education.gov.za.
HEDCOM said, "It may be noted that the draft legislation makes no provision
for school governing bodies to get involved in the professional management of
educators, although it does (in Clause 6) require that school governing bodies
adhere to decisions taken by the department and not frustrate these, especially
where it concerns under-performance of a principal or educator."
"The idea that government bodies may be fined (as alleged by some media and
commentators) is ludicrous and nowhere to be found in the draft legislation.
The Head of Department is clearly identified as being ultimately responsible
for correcting any under-performance."
"However the legislation does a call on parents through their school
governing bodies to take a more active interest in the quality of education and
the performance of the school. It must receive from the principal an academic
improvement plan and receive regular reports on these matters. Being illiterate
or unschooled themselves does not make parents unable to judge quality and
assess the performance of their children, as some have claimed."
The Department of Education looks forward to all comments on the Bill to be
received by 29 May. The Heads of Education also welcomed the call by the
community of Khutsong in the North West that learners and teachers there return
to school today. HEDCOM added, "Too much time has already been lost and
extraordinary efforts by all involved will be required to ensure learners are
not prejudiced by the disruptions."
Enquiries:
John S Mojapelo
Chief Director: Communication
Cell: 083 650 0033
Issued by: Department of Education
14 May 2007
