Statement by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

It was important to allow teachers time off to celebrate World Teachers Day, in honour of teachers who often make the difference between social order and chaos in our society.

So said Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore during an interpellation this afternoon in the Provincial Legislature. MEC Dugmore answered questions on growth of learner numbers, cell phones, homework guidelines, educator:learner ratios and the status of a private school.

Said MEC Dugmore: "Many schools have been given permission within the prescripts of departmental policy to apply for the shortening of the school day for occasions like these via their circuit managers. Circuit Managers as a norm before approving such an application ensures that the curriculum delivery at these institutions is not compromised."

In reply to a question on policy on cell phones, he said he was "very disturbed with the recordings and distribution of obscene clips by learners, which involves scenes of sex and violence. Although banning cell phones outright is not an option, I have called on schools to regulate the use of technology more effectively in our schools…".

FULL QUESTIONS AND REPLIES:

1. Mr R V Carlisle to as Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

Whether certain provincial schools had permission to close down earlier on the 5 October 2007?

Answer

Every year on October 5 the teaching community all over the world celebrate World Teachers Day, in honour of teachers, who often make the difference between social order and chaos in our society. The day is celebrated by teachers to remind us who represent government, of the important role of teachers within society. Thanks in part to the efforts of Education International (EI) and its 348 member organisations, and all our local teacher unions and education activists, there is widespread global recognition of the profession. Teachers Day is celebrated to acknowledge teachers and the central role they play in efforts to achieve quality education for all children; and to thank them for their continued commitment to the profession, often in difficult circumstances. This year was without a doubt a difficult year for Education in the country and in the Western Cape. The prolonged industrial action has impacted heavily on all of our lives. The main themes that refrained from across our teaching corps, were a decent working environment and a Living Wage. Our teachers indicated that they needed more than verbal recognition of their dedication and of the demands that they face. They united to signal to the world that they needed tangible recognition of their unremitting efforts to hold the social fabric together. They indicated strongly that they needed to be acknowledged for their role as "educators" in the fullest sense of the word. The industrial action has reminded us - the authorities - that we must continue to acknowledge the role of teachers in our society, and reaffirm the need to work together to better understand the issues. Many schools have been given permission within the prescripts of departmental policy to apply for the shortening of the school day for occasions like these via their circuit managers. Normally this is a controlled process and parents are being informed beforehand in cases like these by the schools, in order for them to be aware and to make appropriate arrangements. Circuit Managers as a norm before approving such an application ensures that the curriculum delivery at these institutions is not compromised. So, the answer to your question Mr Carlisle, is YES, certain schools did have the necessary permission to close down earlier.

6. Mr S Esau to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

With regard to Rouxville, Jagtershof and Soneike-

(1) whether the WCED has monitored the growth of learners in these areas; if so, what are the results;

(2) whether any of these areas have been prioritised for additional school facilities, like primary schools and high schools; if not, why not; if so, when will the building of the infrastructure commence; and

(3) whether there has been a long waiting list at any of these schools for the past three years?

Answer

(1) Yes. The WCED does not have precise demographic details, but can confirm that population numbers are growing in these areas.

(2) Yes. The WCED has placed the building of a new primary school on the priority list for Rouxville. The date of commencement must still be determined.

(3) The primary schools of Mikro and De Kuilen usually have waiting lists. Those who cannot be accommodated typically find places at schools in surrounding areas, with the assistance of the East Metropole District Office if necessary.

7. Mr S Esau to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

(a) How many parent-teacher evenings were conducted with regard to the Western Cape Education Department's Homework Guidelines; and

(b) in which areas were they conducted?

Answer

(a) Provincial Guidelines for the management of homework in public ordinary schools, Circular 0045/2005, dated 2005-08-17 was sent to schools to assist schools in developing a school homework policy. The circular drew attention to the fact that homework was part of the teaching and learning activities of a school and required effective management by principals, educators, parents and learners. The circular contained information and suggestions regarding the management of the amount and the nature of homework within the outcomes-based curriculum content. The principals were requested to bring the contents of the circular and guideline document to the attention of staff, governing bodies, parents and learners. It is not possible to give an answer to the question of how many parent-teacher evenings were conducted with regard to the circular, nor in which areas they were conducted. The document consisted of recommendations and helpful tips for the school communities to adopt and implement.

(b) No mechanism exists for the monitoring of how the schools managed the information process.

7. Mr S Esau to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

(1) What is the current status of the Kalkfontein Primary School in respect of (a) learners, (b) educators, (c) classrooms and (d) other school amenities; and

(2) Whether the school would be considered as under-utilized?

Answer

(1) Kalkfontein Primary School opened in 2006 in Kalkfontein, Kuils River, and currently has 748 learners in Grades R to 8 (2006: 597); 20 educators, including a principal, a deputy principal and three heads of department (2006: 16); 29 classrooms; and one computer laboratory and one library. The school has 20 teachers but 29 classrooms, which indicates that the school has capacity for further growth. Enrollment has grown since the school opened in 2006, which indicates that the school needs the additional capacity. If necessary, the WCED will use the capacity to accommodate learners who cannot find places at nearby schools.

*9. Mr A Arnolds to ask Mr C M Dugmore Minister of Education:

Answer

As MEC for Education I am very disturbed with the recordings and distribution of obscene clips by learners, which involves scenes of sex and violence. Although banning cell phones outright is not an option, I have called on schools to regulate the use of technology more effectively in our schools. It has to be noted that the WCED cannot develop a general cell phone policy for all the schools in the province. Each school governing body (SGB) needs to develop its own cell phone policy, as this cell phone policy must be linked to the school's own individual Code of Conduct for learners. The Code of Conduct is developed after consultation between its teachers, parents and learners. The provincial Department has, however, developed guidelines for use by all schools to assist them to develop their own cell phone policy. The draft document, "Guidelines for developing a cell phone policy at a school", has been developed by the Directorate: Institutional Management and Governance (IMG) Planning. After consultation within the Directorate, the necessary changes were made and it was then presented to the senior district officials in the IMG branch for consultation at our policy consultation meeting on Monday, 29 October 2007. The necessary changes were made before it was disseminated to the SGB associations for their comments and inputs. The deadline for comments is 15 November 2007. After the necessary changes are made it will be presented to the Top Management of the WCED, for their final input and comments before sending it to all schools in the province.

15. Mr S Esau to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

Whether the Shiloah Christian School in Wynberg is (a) registered with the WCED and if so when did this happen, (b) it complies with all the requirements; (c) the educators in the school are suitably qualified and if so, what qualifications they possess; (d) the school gets a subsidy from WCED, and (e) any complaints against the school had been reported to the WCED?

Answer

(a) Yes, 2000

(b) Yes, it complies with all the requirements

(c) Yes. They are suitably qualified.

(d) Yes. From Mr Shahid Esau (MP) who communicated to Mr Job (Senior Circuit Manager) that a parent, Mr Greenwood, had complained about his child, Cecelia, not receiving tuition due to teacher turnover. This was investigated and it was found not to be true. The principal explained that when two teachers left the school, she immediately employed two teachers; one for Economic Management Science Studies and History, and another for Natural sciences. She herself took over some of the teaching duties. It was further established that the parent, Mr Greenwood, was informed (prior to the complaint) that his child will not be accommodated at the school for 2008 because the parent has continuous outstanding school fees for the last five years. Because Shiloah Christian School is a private school (and dependent upon parents paying their fees) they are at liberty to direct the parent in this way.

(e) This state of affairs was communicated to Mr Esau telephonically by the Senior Circuit Manager, Mr Rachart Job, a day after Mr Esau lodged the query. Mr Greenwood subsequently paid up R2000.00 and the rest was by a Councillor, a Mrs Haywood who also telephoned on behalf of Mr Greenwood. She apparently was initially rude and threatened the school, but then paid the account on behalf of the parent.

16. Mr S Esau to ask Mr C M Dugmore, Minister of Education:

Regarding the Garden Village Primary, (a) what are the educator-learner ratio at the school; (b) what is the condition of the prefabrication structures at the school; (c) is the school on the priorities lists to be upgraded; if so, when; if not, why not; and (d) what is the current status of the sewerage pipe under the school building?

Answer

(a) 28:1 for the Grade Rs and 42:1 for Grades 1 to 7.

(b) The prefabricated structures at the school are still in a fair condition. The ablution block at the school, which was in a poor condition, has been replaced.

(c) The school is appearing on a list of "plankie" schools that need to be replaced. However, the replacement of the schools on this list is dependent on available budget. The only schools receiving attention currently are those where the poor condition of the building is seen as endangering the safety of the users. In cases where a school is being under-utilised, and where classrooms are in a dilapidated state, the classrooms are removed but not replaced. In other cases, the planning process for permanent structures has already begun (so as to tackle projects in phases), with the construction phase planned to be activated only when funds are appropriated.

(d) The WCED was not aware of a sewerage pipe under the school building. The WCED has made enquiries about it. According to the school principal, there is a pipe across the sports area, which runs parallel to the vibracrete boundary wall of the school. Consultants for the new permanent school will have to determine the precise location of the pipe and take that into consideration during their planning phase of the project.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

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