1. ELRC Collective Agreement 8 of 2003, which deals with the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), emphasises continual training, development and support of all educators in terms of their personal growth plans. Training and development is the responsibility of the individual, the institution and the EMDC; the plans, systems and structures for continual professional teacher development should reflect this responsibility. The priority needs of all educators should be catered for in training plans in order for the general quality of education to improve.
2. In the case of educators who have performed poorly, as indicated by their performance appraisal ratings, special arrangements should be made by the development support groups (DSGs) and the staff development teams to ensure that focussed, needs-based training and support are offered to promote improved performance. Continuing poor performance can ultimately lead to dismissal in term of the Employment of Educators Act.
3. The WCED has made available to all schools a guideline document which specifies the verifiable evidence that gives rise to a particular rating for each of the performance standards. This document may also be used as an indication of “best practice” towards which each educator should work. Principals are advised to make this document available to educators and to initiate professional discussions on the practices listed under each criterion.
4. The IQMS co-ordinators will hold discussion sessions on the above guideline document with principals in all circuits during 2006. Principals, in turn, will be expected to share this information with their educator staff. The aim is to ensure that all educators have a common understanding of what is expected of them, and to eliminate as much subjectivity from the appraisal process as possible. In addition, it will eliminate the misunderstanding that educators deserve high ratings for having done the basic tasks expected of them. Good and excellent ratings should be awarded only when the educator has exceeded the expectations of the DSG and the clients.
5. The Directorate: Quality Assurance will monitor whether the delivery of training, development and support is aligned with the specifications referred to above. IQMS co-ordinators will support institutions in terms of all of the above-mentioned processes.
6. Kindly bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all educators.


SIGNED: L.J. ROSE
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:01:18