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

In the last 12 years of democracy, the country has made great strides in the reconstruction of South Africa and Africa.

In pursuit of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Education, it has successfully united 19 different education departments; increased the number of successful black and women graduates; and transformed the curriculum to the point where it is now reaching stability and maturity.

So said Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore during a Summit on the State of Southern African Education, taking place in the Waterfront, Cape Town this week till Friday.

It is deliberating and adopting resolutions on issues such as learners, teachers and education; status of education in the region; and social issues in education; as well as the curriculum.

The summit is attended by directors of educational institutes, school principals, senior academics and school managers, social developers agencies, teacher unions and government officials.

Key speakers include Head of WCED Ron Swartz, General-Secretary of SADTU Thulas Nxesi, Chief Executive Officer of the SA Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Samuel B Isaacs, and Muavia Gallie, Director of the South African Council of Educators (SACE). International speakers include Raymond Majongwe, Leader of the Progressive Teachers union of Zimbabwe and Macharia Kamau of UNICEF.

In his official opening of the summit yesterday, MEC Dugmore said that "investment in education is essential to the development of any society, its people and its economy".

Said MEC Dugmore: "Whilst we are proud of our achievements, we are also the first to acknowledge the continuing challenges, especially in respect of: equity and redress; the drop-out rates (50%); the levels of literacy and numeracy; the performance of our learners in the subjects of maths and science; teacher support and development; and learner behaviour and parental involvement in the education system."

See full text of speech on www.capegateway.gov.za/education

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

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