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Media Release

15 October, 2010

Working together to improve educational outcomes in Khayelitsha

Extract of a speech by Minister Donald Grant at the 7th Khayelitsha Development Conference - Charles Morkels Hall, Strand.

Education is fundamental to the growth and development of Khayelitsha and the improvement of quality education in this area is of paramount importance to the Western Cape Education Department.

That is why, over the last year, we have allocated significant additional resources to Khayelitsha schools and will continue to do so in the future. Last year’s matric examination results in Khayelitsha schools were some of the worst in the Province, with only six of the twenty high schools achieving more than a 60% pass rate.

We simply cannot continue to have this intolerable situation where the majority of these schools are not in a position to provide the quality of education that all learners are entitled to. Therefore, lifting the quality of education in these schools is a major priority of this government and we are determined to ensure that the results in our Khayelitsha schools improve significantly over the next four years and beyond.

Therefore, we set out to develop a specific set of management plans for each school. After a consultation process, each school set individual targets and outcomes to achieve.

We then wrote to principals, notifying them that there would be an increase in the monitoring of teacher and learners attendance, that there would be no training seminars or events that would disrupt the school day, and that we would provide specific management support to some of the Khayelitsha schools that were underperforming, including principal training workshops and mentorship programmes.

In April, we launched the ‘Own YOUR future’ campaign at Manyano High School in Khayelitsha.

The campaign, “Own YOUR future. Own YOUR success. Study hard to pass YOUR matric” is part of the WCED’s overall plan to improve the Grade 12 pass rate in the province and encourages learners to put maximum effort into their studies in the remaining months of their school career up to their final National Senior Certificate Examinations.

Each of our Grade 12 learners received a “Tips for success” booklet which is a first of its kind in the history of the South African education system and provides them with information on how to plan their revision programme, tips on how to study, how to remember what they have studied and how to write examinations successfully.

Other interventions in the campaign included subject specific support for schools with historically low pass rates, the delivery of 15 000 additional textbooks in our top-up programme for Grade 12 learners in critical subject areas across the province, with Khayelitsha schools benefiting significantly from this top-up, and the introduction of a tutoring programme for schools in complex areas of the syllabus.

Each of the twenty high schools in Khayelitsha is taking part in the tutoring programme which I am happy to report has received widespread support from learners both during school holidays, and during weekends. For example, two weeks ago I visited Chris Hani Secondary where over 120 learners from Chris Hani and Sinako Secondary were participating in a holiday camp and were receiving extra tuition in critical subjects like mathematics, physical science, life sciences and economics.

Another intervention was the expansion of the telematics programme for learners. This programme was piloted in 10 of our Khayelitsha schools last year, and given its success, we expanded this to include access for each of the 20 Khayelitsha schools, as well as an additional 100 schools across the province.

Unfortunately, Khayelitsha was one of the areas that were most affected by the recent industrial strike action, however these programmes were invaluable in providing extra tuition for learners to offset the effects of the strike.

The programmes I have outlined above will continue right up until the end of the examinations at specific schools in subjects that are in need of support.

In September, each of the twenty high schools received a package of study materials and past examination papers to assist them in their last few months of studying.

So a lot has been achieved this year and we are confident that the department has left no stone unturned in assisting the Class of 2010 in our Khayelitsha schools. Of course we can always do more.

I must also acknowledge the learners and how humbled I am by their determination to access education opportunities and for the role they played this year in all our programmes.

They have been enthusiastic and focussed throughout the year.

Earlier this year, my office undertook to do a survey of learners in various parts of the province, including Khayelitsha. The survey aimed, aimed amongst other things, to determine young learner’s needs, fears, their future ambitions and goals. Overwhelmingly, education was their key priority, and every learner saw education as the means to a better quality of life and a successful future.

This attitude was evident throughout the year. In April, I along with the National Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga joined hundreds of Khayelitsha Grade 12 learners in a march and event aimed at motivating the Class of 2010 to focus on their studies in their last year of their schooling. However, when I looked around, it was evident that the motivation was already there. Again, we saw their determination to learn during the June/July holiday periods, the September holidays and during the strike.

It was quite remarkable to see between 1500- 2000 learners from Khayelitsha make their own way to the Cape Teaching and Learning Institute during the strike to receive some extra support from our Curriculum Advisors, with one mathematics class entertaining over 300 learners! And all over Khayelitsha, study groups of Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners popped up, each formed at their own will.

So despite the disruptions during the World Cup and the strike, our learners remained focused and determined, and we are proud of their efforts. They have worked hard and I sincerely hope that their hard work translates into good results that I know they are all aspiring to.

But, it’s not just our matriculants that need our support and encouragement. Other grades need our support as well. While the WCED has a number of interventions in place to improve the standard of education in primary and high schools throughout Khayelitsha, it is also important that our community assists their efforts all the way.

I, and many of my colleagues, were encouraged by the story last Friday, where a group of Khayelitsha grade 11’s have been given a peaceful place to study, thanks to the generosity of Mpumie Nxazonke, owner of Mpumie’s place, who closes the doors of her sheeben to the public so that these learners can study.

It is initiatives like this that will change the culture of learning and education in Khayelitsha. Small interventions can play a major role in these young people’s lives. For instance, if one sees a learner in the street or shopping mall during school hours, ask them why they are not in school or report them to the district office. Or if you are aware that your neighbours child does not attend school, notify us and we will place them.

Take ownership of the schools in your communities. Report any crimes against our schools, take part in school initiatives and serve of the committees and governing body posts of your children’s schools.

This is how we can benefit the lives of all learners in Khayelitsha.

We have an exciting year ahead, and on January the 6th I am hoping to join many Khayelitsha learners in celebrating their success when their matric results are released that day.

I am also excited to see the expansion and improvement of COSAT in Khayelitsha. These new developments at COSAT are part of our Government’s commitment to expanding the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) facilities in the province and we look forward to increasing the number of Khayelitsha learner’s who enroll at this successful institution.

I also look forward to continued co-operation between the WCED and the Khayelitsha Development Forum. I do believe, in partnership with the Khayelitsha Education Forum, we can all improve the lives of our learners in Khayelitsha.

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


Issued by:
Bronagh Casey
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the Minister of Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2377
Fax: 021 425 5689

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


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