Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

Top education officials and I are currently meeting school representatives throughout the province to discuss the challenges facing education in the Western Cape.

We are holding meetings in each of the WCED’s seven districts with school principals, staff representatives, school governing body members and district officials.

The aim is to reach a common understanding of the challenges that face all Western Cape educationists, and the solutions required to meet these challenges.

At the meetings, Mr Ron Swartz, Head of Western Cape education, and top officials are explaining long-term national and provincial educational strategies, the WCED’s immediate priorities, and the nuts and bolts of budget planning and post provisioning.

The latest meeting took place in Worcester today (Friday, 7 March 2003). I told delegates that these meetings are the beginning of a process of dialogue this year, which is essential if we are to achieve our objectives together.

After reviewing the highlights and special challenges of last year, I spelt out the key projects for 2003 and how the WCED plans to tackle them.

These include:

• the Curriculum Strategy, a long-term plan for all aspects of education in the province, including growth in the enrolment numbers and targets for success rates, with special emphasis on redress and improving access to opportunities for success;

• the Mathematics, Science and Technology Strategy , designed to improve average learner performance across the board and the province via special interventions, teacher-training and the development of learner support materials;

• the Literacy Strategy, to improve performance in all the learning areas;

• preparing for the Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy, which will enhance the skills of gifted learners in these fields, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds; and

• the School Effectiveness Strategy, to ensure that schools are managed and administered as effectively and efficiently as possible.

I stressed the need for constant, honest communication between all present.

The best form of communication is face-to-face discussion, and we will seek every opportunity of facilitating this. For this reason, I have asked the department to set up district and provincial Education Councils to carry forward the work of meetings such as these.

These councils will provide major forums for discussion, and major opportunities for you to contribute to the strategic planning of education in this province.

Other forms of communication, including the WCED’s website (http://wced.wcape.gov.za), will also be used to encourage participation in the development of education in this province by all stakeholders.