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

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is developing a web-based system to make it easier for the 30,000 teachers and 8,500 public servants to track their leave credits online.

The system will also provide a web-based attendance register for all employees - including teachers and public servants - and a system for tracking contract appointments online.

The department is currently implementing the on-line attendance register as a first phase of the Leave Management System, which will reduce queries significantly along with the paperwork involved in key aspects of human resource administration.

Human resource management staff of the WCED have been introducing the system to staff in schools and the WCED’s administration over the past few weeks. The test phase of the system went live on 1 July 2008, and is being introduced in phases.

The system will enable WCED employees to check vacation leave available to them, along with available sick leave and the status of applications for temporary incapacity leave or ill-health retirement.

The online attendance register will make it easier for schools and administrative offices to submit data and for the department to process information relating to staff attendance of more than 38,000 employees.

The system includes a facility for tracking the progress of applications for contract appointments, which tend to generate large numbers of inquiries.

Using pin numbers, school principals will be able to track progress and will receive messages regarding outstanding documents needed to complete the appointment process, if required. The principal will be able to use the online system to communicate with the department on the appointment process.

Schools and administrative offices will also be able to use the system to complete pay sheets - confirming that employees have received their salary advices - and to deal with queries regarding pay sheets.

The Leave Management System will provide easy access to information, while facilitating communication and informed decision-making on key human resource management issues. The system will reduce queries while improving response times.

The WCED will continue to explore ways in which to use technology to improve service delivery. The department has already made significant progress in using technology to improve communication and to support teaching and learning. The WCED is now using the same platform to expand services to employees.

Education MEC Cameron Dugmore who visited Isikhokelo Primary School in Khayelitsha today (Wednesday 16 July) to see how it works, has welcomed the introduction of the system as a key feature of improving the quality of service delivery and improving the efficiency of management.

“We are on an uncompromising campaign to support the call for quality education, ensuring that the non-negotiables as indicated by the ANC Polokwane Conference, are implemented.

“This first phase of the Leave Management System, which requires all school principals to report on teacher attendance, is already beginning to strengthen the culture of learning and teaching at our schools.

“I am encouraged that teachers are cooperating with our principals in this regard. It is now more important than ever that parents, learners and our department play their part to support our teachers in the classroom,” said MEC Dugmore.

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

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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