Statement by Donald Grant, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

Speaker
Deputy Speaker
Members of the honourable House
Ladies and Gentlemen

Madame Premier

I welcome the opportunity to address the Provincial Parliament in my first State of the Province debate since assuming office last month as the MEC for Education.

On Friday, Premier Zille stated that this government commits itself to building a better province in the interests of a better future, in a better country, for all.

Undoubtedly, the key to a better future is access to quality education.

This is the cornerstone of the open opportunity society for all. However, our analysis indicates that the Province's education system, while the best in the country is not yet characterized by the kind of excellence that this government aspires to.

We are cultivating an ill-educated youth that are unable to take advantage of life's opportunities or contribute meaningfully to an open, democratic society - let alone competing in an increasingly tough and unforgiving global environment.

Unfortunately, there is an increasing trend amongst learners to drop out of school.

According to the latest Annual Survey for Schools, of the 97 864 learners who enrolled in public schools in the Western Cape in 1997, only 43 470 learners made it to Grade 12. Of those learners who remained in school, only 33% qualified for a matric exemption.

While the Western Cape's matric pass rate is higher then other Provinces, the figure is still dropping. In 2004 we achieved an 85% pass rate, but this has continuously dropped over the last 5 years to 78.67% in 2008.

The lower pass rate, combined with the greater number of learners participating in matric exams implies that the WCED is not able to sustain the same quality of education across the board.

In the last few weeks, my Department has been unpacking the details of various programmes and policies that have been implemented within our Department. We are carefully evaluating our Department's performance in this regard, and critically whether these programmes have been tested, monitored and maintained.

Before I sign the Budget in two weeks time, which is the single largest allocation in the Provincial budget, at just over 10.3 billion rand, I want to ensure that every cent spent will benefit the learner.

When it comes to spending, this Department will fit in line with our three core values - truth, responsibility, and accountability.

Wasteful expenditure of taxpayer money will not be tolerated.

As the Premier said in her address, our administration will be going back to basics - applying principles of good management and best practice to everything we do, so that we do the right things, within budget and on time.

Our focus is on the learner and the classroom. The only way in which to establish the real needs of our learners is to go to the "coalface" itself.

We want to open up a communication channel between the Department, the learners, teachers, principals and parents, creating a partnership that is committed to creating excellence in our schools, developing an ethos of respect, courtesy, integrity, pride and discipline in each classroom.

But we have some key challenges ahead.

The Ministry has therefore identified six key education priorities that we would like to tackle head on in the coming financial year.

In terms of education, our focus must be on equipping our citizens with the skills they need to compete in the global knowledge economy.

For the Provincial Government, this starts with improving literacy and numeracy rates among our learners. This will include closer monitoring of the acquisition of these skills at under-performing schools, the establishment of a literacy and numeracy resource hub in each district in the Western Cape, and the introduction of multi-media programmes for teachers to use.

Our second priority is to assist the 74 under-performing in Western Cape. 17 of which, have been termed "dysfunctional."

We will therefore implement a performance and evaluation system, including on-site inspections, and audits on late arrivals and attendance.

All teachers and learners should adhere to the 3 P's principle - punctual, present and prepared.

We will ensure that governing body elections are held where they are due, that district managers are trained in labour relations.

A contributing factor to the non-performance of schools is the morale of teachers and the competence of principals.

Lack of vision and accountability of some principals is arguably one of the biggest challenges we face.

Therefore, we will interact with poorly performing school principles, and will provide them, and teachers, with the best possible assistance to ensure that they deliver the best quality education for our Province's children.

Finally, in terms of underperforming and dysfunctional schools, we will offer exam preparation courses in the lowest-performing schools and also ensure that all Senior Certificate candidates are registered.

While we are determined to tackle the problems at non-performing schools, we must also broaden the base of schools of excellence.

Yesterday, I visited Schoonspruit Sek on the West Coast. The school focuses on arts and culture, offering courses such as visual arts, dramatic arts, design and dance studies.

I was pleasantly surprised at the level of delivery in this school, and I am determined to replicate this system at other schools across the Province.

But our main focus will be on increasing the number of learners acquiring skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

In the coming year, the department will seek to establish a STEM fund, a STEM advisory board, and a STEM Voluntary Institute that will develop a STEM strategy and action programme for new Centers of Excellence to be situated in the major Provincial urban regions.

Early Childhood Development is the building block on which our children's education is based. Therefore, our fourth priority is to expand Early Childhood Development interventions in the months ahead.

This will include the launch of 24 model Grade R sites, the delivery of 12 Grade R classrooms, and the appointment 60 new ECD practitioners.

Our fifth priority is to improve school infrastructure and resources.

We will do this by establishing a School Infrastructure Fund, carrying out emergency maintenance and repairs to over 100 schools, consolidating our school capital plan in line with new norms and standards. We will announce 3 externally financed schools, and launch an 'edu-tainment' programme using an IT service delivery platform.

Finally, the issue of school safety and vandalism of school, state property is an immediate concern of ours.

Efforts to curb vandalism and increase safety at schools are to be stepped up in the next few months.

The WCED has instituted a number of initiatives to address the rising levels of crime in our schools. However, some of our schools still remain vulnerable.

Last year there were 710 reported cases of vandalism and burglary at schools. This year, there have been 179 reported cases.

What is even more frightening is the reported cases of assault on learners and teachers in our schools.

Last year, there were 268 reported cases of assault. This figure already stands at 127 this year alone.

I was shocked to learn that there are claims against our Department that literally amount to millions of rands - most relating to personal injury.

A barometer of a sick organization is the legal challenges it faces.

We have already looked at various ways in which to improve school safety for our learners, including working together with the City of Cape Town and the private sector, whereby we will encourage corporations to sponsor Metro Police personnel for schools in our "rent-a-cop" project.

We will also proceed with community-led initiatives, including partnerships between schools, neighbourhood watches and community policing forums.

In the coming weeks I will be meeting with the MEC's for safety and security, social development and public works to determine what we can do to address the causes of school violence. By pooling our resources we are creating a maximum effect with minimum cost.

In the months ahead we are committed to telling the truth about what is working in this department and what isn't.

To be accountable for our performance.

And to ensure that we create a creative and vibrant learning environment, in all 2000 Western Cape Schools.

We will always be conscious that our number one priority is, and always will be, doing what is in the best interests of the learner.

Thank you.

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or bcase@pgwc.gov.za.