Durban – Quite a few changes are expected to be made in the provincial education system in KwaZulu-Natal, according to its MEC Senzo Mchunu.
KZN Education facelift
The MEC highlighted these aspirations on Sunday as a three-day education summit concluded at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.Trade union movements, the Amakhosi, municipalities, departmental officials from headquarters to school level, business community, parents and learners formed the over 750 delegation.
“The last few days have marked a turning point in education in KwaZulu-Natal. It is indeed a major step that will see us achieve what we all aspire for, as a province – the delivery of Quality Basic Education to our schools and to our learners, in particular,” said Mchunu.
During the release of the matric 2010 results earlier this year, the MEC expressed concern over the unsatisfactory pass rates in mathematics and physical science.
Following discussions about this issue, delegates decided at the beginning of each school term, all teachers in schools that performed below 60 percent in maths and physical science will be subjected to a rigorous programme of professional development – both in content and pedagogy for four consecutive weekends.
There are plans to establish a fully-fledged Teacher Development Institute which will house a maths and science centre.
The department intends on doing away with in-service programmes that removes teachers from the classroom.
The department also said they would use National School Nutrition Programme to create jobs.
To address teacher shortages in the province, especially in rural areas, a strong partnership with locally-based universities will be developed.
“We are delighted that the summit adopted a position that says learner-pregnancy, drugs and HIV/Aids need to be fought through visible and rigorous programmes and campaigns involving communities,” added Mchunu.
The department will become more vigorous about discipline issues after adopting a new regime at the summit.
Misconduct is expected to be reported to the appropriate official within seven days and investigation must be finalised within21 days.
A co-ordinating committee will be established by 28 February, and its purpose will be to monitor the management of disciplinary cases within the department.
The committee shall develop a procedure manual on discipline management.
“We will develop a programme to nurture and sustain this partnership we’ve established in the last three days. In good time this should mature to a fully-fledged stakeholder forum as a response to the calls made here earlier on,” concluded Mchunu. – BuaNews
