International Continuing Professional Development and Support Conference
8 March 2007
"Are we ready to excel?" KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronje posed this
question last night at the opening of the International Continuing Professional
Development and Support Conference that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of
Education is hosting in Durban.
She said the theme for the conference is "Current trends in developing
educator performance, excellence and empowerment through continuing support;"
this was indeed a very appropriate theme. Thanking the department's long
standing partners from Denmark for their continuing support in teacher
development, Cronje pointed out that support for teachers is essential,
especially in the light of a variety of serious challenges that the teaching
profession faces throughout the world, the country and in KwaZulu-Natal.
"We live in an age and era that you can never believe that you are now
educated. Continuing process of learning has become essential in all
professions. Continuing professional development and empowerment needs
continuing support." Touching on the challenges that teachers face she said
that the department has just embarked on a new curriculum which comes with its
own demands.
"We would not be doing our duty if we did not pay special attention to the
ongoing development of our teachers. It would be grossly unfair to expect of
teachers, to acquire additional knowledge while flying the plane. This
conference will look also look at continuing support. Another issue is the
quality of the teaching and education we are offering our children. Teaching
cannot just be going through the motions. We have to always and continue
striving for excellence.
We can only achieve if we as teachers can excel. Can we excel? Yes, but only
if you have the tools to excel. When we want to empower our teachers, we must
arm them with knowledge; the teachers in turn will empower our children." I
hope that this conference will assist us to put in place research facilities
for teacher development.
She said that the role of educators can never be overestimated. "We need to
blow new life into the old adage that teaching is the mother of all
professions. Let us reclaim that right to have the respect and commitment and
support of our entire nation. It is also true that one earns respect. Are we
ready to accept the challenges of our complex society and world? Are we ready
to excel in turn? If we are, then I do believe we will reclaim the profession
as the mother of all professions that really warrant the respect of
everybody."
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
8 March 2007
