Following a special Council of Education Ministers' meeting held at the Garden Court Hotel, Kempton Park, Johannesburg

Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister Enver Surty, Provincial Education MECs and officials met yesterday afternoon in a special meeting convened to discuss the impact of the strike on learning and teaching and to discuss a proposed recovery plan for the education sector.

Each province reported on the impact of the strike on schools, parents and learners.

The meeting agreed that once the strike has ended each province should liaise with representative unions to determine further strategies to support learning.

Given that ten days have been lost CEM felt it is possible to catch up on time lost. There are 117 days left this year including weekends until the matric exams start and 160 days for all other learners. Learners should use every hour (at least 7 hours) and every day available.

CEM was confident that teachers will support schools to catch up on learning. "We have faced challenges before and our teachers have shown that with our support and the support of parents we can make things work for the better", said Minister Pandor.

The meeting resolved that the ministry of education should consult national treasury in order to explore measures to secure resource support for our education recovery plan. Any resources secured will be used on learning materials, as well as the use of print, radio and digital media to reach and support learners.

CEM agreed that an urgent priority is to finalise mid year exams and to ask universities to be flexible in regard to closing dates.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za or Lunga Ngqengelele:  082 566 0446, ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za

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