schools
2 February 2007
More subject advisors, video lessons, teacher assistants, study periods over
weekends and strict monitoring of teacher and learner attendance are some of
the measures the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will use to improve the
performance of poor performing high schools in the province.
The plan was unpacked in Durban where KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronje
and education head Dr Cassius Lubisi addressed 760 departmental officials.
Plans for the provision of critical resources included:
* The filling of all vacant teaching posts in English, Mathematics, Biology,
Physical Science, Economics and Travel and Tourism will be expedited.
* Guides in subjects, such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Physical Science,
and Travel and Tourism will be distributed to schools.
* Underperforming schools with large enrolments will receive teacher assistants
in critical subjects; video lessons in key areas of certain subjects; audio
cassettes or compact discs with analyses of key set works in English. It will
also be double checked that they have their full quota of textbooks and
set-works.
In the teaching and learning key result area, principals, teachers and
departmental officials have to:
* organise study periods in the afternoons and over weekends
* organise winter schools throughout the province
* set homework in key subjects from Monday to Thursday of every week, and use
it for formative purposes.
To support teachers, subject meetings will be held fortnightly to share
teaching ideas, discuss common controlled tests and review learner performance,
while the number of subject advisors in key subjects will be increased.
In the learner assessment area controlled tests will be set in each school
monthly in the key subjects. Quarterly tests will be set provincially and
written by all grades 11 and 12 learners.
Teams of retired managers will assist the management and governance of
Special Measures Schools, schools that obtained a pass rate of 50% or less in
the matric examination for two consecutive years. Targeted short courses will
also be offered to principals of underperforming schools, while school
management teams will establish systems for the monitoring of teaching and
learning.
In the institutional turnaround key result area principals of poor
performing schools have to submit turnaround plans.
Community involvement will be increased by ensuring that parents or
guardians are informed quarterly of learners' progress, while schools will
identify local expertise to assist in specific areas on a voluntary basis.
Through the school governing bodies parents and guardians will be mobilised to
provide time and space for their children to do school work.
Principals must monitor learner and teacher attendance to ensure that they
are in classrooms at appropriate times, while ward managers have been tasked to
monitor the implementation and results of the turnaround plans. The latter will
also occasionally base their offices at underperforming schools to enhance
monitoring and support.
Principals, ward managers and district managers will be held accountable for
the performance of Special Measures Schools. All principals and School
Management Team members must undergo compulsory training in key competences of
school management, during which an acting principal from within or outside the
school would be appointed. A principal of a Special Measures School, who does
not perform, despite support, may be redeployed. A school's overall pass rate
and in individual subjects will be considered in appraising the performance of
principals and teachers. In this regards, all schools will set learner
achievement targets in regard to the matric examinations. Performance targets
will also be set for ward managers, whose schools are on average
underperforming.
Doctor Lubisi said he will be monitoring the implementation of this plan
"like a hawk. We are serious about the elimination of dysfunctional schools and
the improvement of performance in our high schools."
MEC Cronje will address all the principals of underperforming schools in
February and priority will be given to the Obonjeni and Umzinyathi districts
due to their poor performance in the 2006 matric examinations.
Enquiries:
Christi Naude
Tel: (033) 355 2453
Fax: (033) 342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
2 February 2007
