MEC’S REPORT TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PRO VINCES
AUGUST 2003
Issue
Reference in report
Explanation of background and options already taken or to be undertaken
Educators knocking off early
Page 1924
Before an investigation could be conducted, the schools closed. Investigations will be carried on when the schools re-open for the next term.
Education for learners with special education needs
Page 1925
Inclusive Education is being progressively implemented as part of the national process
EMIS
Page 1925
Department to find a way to relate to farmers in view of the fact that we do not pay rent to the farmer. Department to ensure roles of teacher and farmer are clarified.
Orphans
Page 1926
Department to find a way in co-operation with Department of Social Development to assist schools in school fees and learners for uniforms. Department of Social Development is providing support through their social security programme. Process is being addressed by the MEC for Social Services and a presentation on the statistics of orphans will be made by Education to Social Development as part of integrating the strategy on providing support to orphans. The department is also addressing the problem through various intervention measures such as the Hostel School Project.
MABOLOKA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Alarm system installation
Page 1931
Alarm systems are installed to schools as part of strengthening security measures at schools.
Vacant post
Page 1931
Temporary educator has been appointed
PSNP
Page 1931
The project was being run by the Department of Health as a pilot project. The funding was not adequate to address all schools. The Department of Education F.S. is currently in the process of taking over the project and will reassess the schools that need to be assisted in relation to the available budget. Joint planning and monitoring teams have been established to manage the hand-over process between the two departments(Departments of Education and Health)
Professional support by the Department
Page 1932
No visits by LFs: This matter is being monitored at District level since a visit to a school is still an essential part of monitoring and support. However, in terms of professional support to teachers all teachers of all schools are receiving regular support during training sessions and workshops that are arranged in cluster context. Attendance registers give proof of which teachers have attended. It is more efficient to reach groups of teachers in a short space of time to convey new policies and provide the necessary training without delay than to move from school to school. This takes more time and the crucial messages that need to reach teachers are not conveyed in good time.
Inadequate workshops of OBE: The FS goes out of its way to provide training on OBE as far as the budget, time and human resources available permit. Ongoing workshops by Learning Facilitators are planned throughout, also as far as classroom management, co-operative learning and multi-grade teaching are concerned. Training on OBE is not a once-off event and continues as the system unfolds. Teachers themselves also have a major role to play in making OBE work in their schools
LSM and Photocopy machine
Page 1933
All stationery and LSM are ordered as requested by the schools. It is departmental policy that this process must be completed by July in order to ensure delivery to schools before the end of the year. Principals are aware that they should plan well in advance and that the intake and resourcing should be related.
The SGB is responsible for budgeting for the needs of the school. If they do not budget for a photocopy machine and order it, it will not be purchased on their behalf by the Department.
SCHREINERS CLAIM COMBINED SCHOOL
School Fees
Page 1934
Principal withheld school report of learners that did not pay. Principal was given a verbal warning( reprimanded) and he promised not to repeat the same mistake.
Stationery and books
Page 1935
The school did not request additional Geography books and therefore the Department did not order any. All LSM requested by the school was ordered and delivered.
Water taps to be installed, toilets and new educators’ quarters
Page 1935
Regional offices have completed infrastructure survey and the installation process is in progress
No written agreement between farmer and Department
Page 1936
There are still farmers who are still reluctant to sign agreements. The District Offices interact with such farmers to explain the purpose and contents of the agreement.
BETHLEHEM COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
Vacant HOD post
Page 1936, 2nd paragraph
The HOD post has already been filled with a female candidate.
Vacant posts
Page 1936,
Vacant Posts
The school currently has 38 teachers of which 6 are in excess. When the Typing educator went for maternity leave, no educator on the staff could offer typing and the SGB hired educators who could offer the subject and paid them out of school funds. The schools’ motivation for substitute educators could not be approved because they had educators in excess. The Morkel Model used to determine staff establishment does not cater for the unique nature of comprehensive schools that have many subject streams. The Typing educator has since returned from maternity leave
Grade 12 pass rate
Page 1936
Pass rate
1st paragraph
There is an improvement in grade 12 pass rate from 24% in 2001 to 35,7% in 2002, but it is not up to the expected level. The school has improvement plans in place. The Holistic Intervention Programme and mentors assist the SMT.
The confusion as to whether the school is a comprehensive school or not
Page 1936
Pass rate,
3rd, paragraph
There was no confusion about the type of school, it was meant to be a comprehensive school from inception.
Learners forced to take Maths
Page 1936, Pass rate, 3rd
paragraph
Learners are not forced to take Maths, but the curriculum dictates that Maths should be among the subjects taken, because the school is a comprehensive institution. The school is busy reviewing its curriculum, so as to introduce other subject streams that may not include Maths. It is recommended that the investigators with SMD’s and LF’s go to the school the last week of April 2003.
Late coming, bunking of classes and laisser’s faire attitude
Page 1936, Teachers
According to the SMT there is no late coming and bunking of classes. Teachers are usually punctual and the majority of learners are usual punctual. There is proper control of late coming and monitoring. Absenteeism is managed and controlled through the leave register.
It is recommended that the investigators with SMD’s and LF’s go to the school the last week of April 2003 to verify this.
Absenteeism and late-coming.
Page 1937, Absenteeism
There is proof that educators properly apply for leave if they have serious domestic problems. All leave is recorded on a leave register and proof of this was produced. It is recommended that the investigators with SMD’s and LF’s go to the school the last week of April 2003 to verify this.
Relations between educators and learners
Page 1937
According to the SMT no parent has ever complained about relations between educators and learners. It is recommended that this allegation be investigated by the District Office.
Non existence of subject committees
Page 1937
According to the SMT subject committees do exist and are chaired by subject heads. Proof of this was produced. The team that will visit the school can verify this.
Proximity of the school to the tavern
Page 1938,
1st paragraph
The principal spoke with the Tavern owner, but he indicated that he has an approved license to operate a Tavern. Nevertheless the tavern has never disturbed the smooth running of the school. This can be verified by the team that will visit the school.
75% of learners not living with their parents
Page 1938,
2nd paragraph
The figure of 75% is exaggerated. There might be a small amount of learners not living with their parents, like those coming from neighboring farms. This must be reported to Welfare.
HOD’s not conducting regular class visits
Page 1938,
3rd paragraph
According to the SMT, HOD’s regularly visit educators at their class as per the Development Plan of the school. Copies of the class visitation checklist were provided as proof that class visits are conducted. There is proof that HOD’s regularly conduct class visitations.
SGB not aware of its role and powers
Page 1938,
5th paragraph
The SGB was capacitated through workshops and training. Members of the SGB know their roles and responsibilities. Copies of the minutes and activities of the SGB were produced as proof. The SGB is well capacitated through workshops.
SMT operates as it wishes
Page 1938,
6th paragraph
According to the SMT they work in accordance to the school’s year plan. There are regular meetings held in accordance to the school’s year plan. There is a year plan used to coordinate activities at school. School must still provide proof.
Educators coming to school under the influence of alcohol
Page 1938,
8th paragraph
According to the SMT no teacher was found to be under the influence of alcohol during official hours. Misuse of alcohol during official hours does not pose any problem for the school. It is however recommended that this be verified.
Some educators favoured and others harassed by the principal
Page 1938,
12th paragraph
It is just an allegation that the principal favours other educators and harasses others. It has never been proved. The principal treats every educator the same.
Learners who failed made to pass
Page 1939,
1st paragraph
Promotions are done strictly according to pass requirements policies. The school has never deviated from those policies..
Educators teaching English in Sotho
Page 1939,
3rd paragraph
Previously teachers were using Sesotho to explain some of the English concepts. The principal did attend to this by enforcing the usage of dictionaries and communication in English. The usage of English has improved
Learners not interested in Maths and Languages
Page 1939,
3rd Paragraph
A group of learners doing practical subjects had a perception that Maths and Languages would not take a person anywhere. The principal corrected that perception and bought Will Smith’s cassettes and ex-kits to encourage learners to be interested in Mathematics.
Standard of exam question papers as compared to class test
Page 1939,
4th paragraph
It was discovered that the standard of class tests in some subjects was very low as compared to exams question papers. The SMT has since addressed this problem by encouraging educators to make use of previous question papers.
HOU AAN COMBINED SCHOOL
Refusal to approve installation of burglar alarms
Page 1940
Burglar and alarm systems have been installed.
Vacant Posts
Page 1940
Posts have been filled.
BULTFONTEIN HOëRSKOOL
SMT all white males –30% of the learners black
Page 1940
The matter is being addressed by the district director and the district management. Their last visit was on the 28 July 2003. Matter will also be addressed during the school governing body elections in August
SGB only white
Page 1940
School funding
Page 1941
The operational budget is allocated in terms of the rating of schools in accordance with the Norms and Standards. Mr Kok was in contact with Stats SA. The sensus data is still not available and will only be available at the end of April. Mr Kok will stay in contact with Stats SA to make sure that the information is available as soon as possible.
Language barrier
Page 1941
This school does teach Se Sotho speaking learners in Afrikaans rather than English. This is a situation the District should se right by means of the school Management Developer who should intervene. White teaches teaching SeSotho third language – The school should adapt its staff profile if practically possible to suit the needs of the learners by appointing a native speaker of the language.
BONONG PRIMARY F\S
Structural defects of building, water taps, inadequate toilet facilities
Page 1942
New infrastructure to improve conditions at school is in the implementation phase
Departmental relationship with farmer
Page 1943
The District Director has been given the responsibility to manage relationship with the farmer..
SELLO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Inspectors do not visit school
Page 1943
The District Director has been given the responsibility to ensure that the school is given support by all District-based officials
SEKWENG COMBINED SCHOOL
LSM
Page 1944
Grade 5 and 9 material was delivered as ordered by the school. The school only requested textbooks for grade 1,2 and 6 which was ordered in February 2002 and delivered. No other requests were received from the school.
Promise to build toilets, but has not
Page 1944
Project has been completed.
Lack of communication
Page 1945
They have Grade 1 – 10. There is an improvement expected for the learning area HSS.
PSNP – sometimes delivery does not take place
Page 1944
Matter was referred and handled by Department of Health. Department of Education is currently putting plans to avoid delays in payment once the PSNP is transferred in April 2004
HANOVER COMBINED SCHOOL
Lack of educators for certain subjects
Page 1945
The problem was solved through intervention by the school management developer. The matter is being addressed on an ongoing basis
Delays in payment of remuneration of parents in PSNP
Page 1945
Department of Education F.S is in the process of taking over the project with effect from 1 January 2004 Awaiting response from Department of Health.
RECOMMENDATIONS
PSNP
Page 1946
The Department is developing a new Business Plan as part of the national project to transfer School Nutrition Programme from the Department of Health to Education
Partnership and co-operation between farmers and Department
Page 1946
Department will incorporate this duty in the District Directors and SMD’s post description and into performance agreements. Consultation on the signing of agreements between department and farmers is going on.
Clustering of schools and exploration of a twinning arrangement for schools with no prospect or successful fundraising opportunities
Page 1947
Training of schools is on-going to capacitate the schools. Twinning or partnerships already exists with some schools and also through the Holistic Improvement Plan where sharing of resources is encouraged.
Improve Monitoring and evaluation by SMDs
Page 1947
Before an investigation could be conducted, the schools closed. The School Management Developer and all other District-based officials were instructed top visit the school.
Extending District Directors Performance Agreements
Page 1947
This is still under investigation and discussion.
Functionality of SGBs need to be monitored
Page 1947
District Directors will establish improved processes with standards and performance measures for SMD’s. The above activity will be incorporated into District Directors Performance agreements. New school governing bodies are being elected closing date 30-08-2003 whereas training will also follow.
Expansion of ELSEN and ABET
Page 1947
ABET centers have established in all the 25 municipalities of the province. Measures and strategies to expand ELSEN in line with the national process on Inclusive education.
Adequate resources for LSM
Page 1947
The budget for LSM per learner is within the norms set by the National Department and is the above the National average per learner. Learner numbers are dropping and the curriculum has again been adjusted. The Department is allocating resources within a changing environment that must ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The Department is currently investigating shortages in LSM not due to poor retrieval. The investigation is also focusing on surplus LSM at schools. This investigation will assist the Department to address real shortages in the next financial year from an additional allocation that was set aside for this purpose.
The FS should conclude the process of written agreements with farmers
Conclusion of agreements with farmers is an ongoing process
Redeployment process should be finalised
The process is being dealt with in terms of the instruction related to PBSC Resolution 7 of 2002. Due to the drop in learner numbers, there will be to some extent always we educators to be redeployed.
Teaching of African Languages by inappropriately qualified teachers should be discouraged
The matter links with staff recruitment, appointments made and staff provisioning norms. The language in education policy, combined with multilingualism principles embedded in the curriculum, will address this matter by and large. A circular in this regard has already been sent to all schools.
SMDs to ensure the establishment of functional subject committees at school level
This is part of issues to be monitored by District-based officials when visiting schools
radication of Child Labour
School governing bodies are continuosly informed about the matter and the new school governing bodies will also be inducted in this regard once the elections have been concluded in August. In the event there are reported cases the Labour Relations directorate effects disciplinary measures.
Information on the National Student Financial Aid scheme should be provided to all Secondary Schools
Information will be printed at the back of final time-tables of Grade 12 learners for 2004
Discourage clustered school fee determination
Problems regarding schools are being discussed with School Governing Bodies
Training model for SGB should be reviewed
The Organisation and Human Resources Development component of the Department is handling this matter to be considered for the training of the newly elected School Governing Bodies.
SMTs empowered to implement and Educators Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures and processes
This is included in the on-going training programme for the School Management Teams.
SMDs to develop programmes to visit schools regularly and to ensure that schools have management plans and SMT meetings and staff meetings are held regularly
This Programme has been developed and is being monitored by District Directors and Senior Managers at Head Office. Head Office Managers including the Head of Department visit selected schools on monthly basis.