Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

23 June, 2016

WCED Winter holiday programmes for learners and educators.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Tomorrow brings to a close the second school term of the 2016 academic year and the start of the winter school holidays. Following a busy examination period, this is a much needed break for many learners and educators across the province.

This is however, a period where many of our learners in the province are left unsupervised and are at risk of becoming involved in negative anti-social behaviour.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the WCED will once again offer holiday programmes during the winter school holidays which will include Safe Schools Holiday Programmes as well as Winter Schools for our Grade 12's.

Some of the highlights include:

SAFE SCHOOLS HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

The aim of the safe schools holiday programme includes providing constructive activities for children while also protecting schools by ensuring that they are visibly utilised during this period. The programmes are aimed at keeping our children positively engaged, entertained and safe, especially in areas where they are at a greater risk of exposure to substance abuse, drugs, violence and gangsterism.

Each district organises programmes according to the perceived need in the district concerned.

Educational programmes on offer include topics such as peer-pressure, moral values, substance abuse, HIV/Aids and sexual abuse. Other important topics covered are truancy, gangsterism and bullying as well as career guidance.

A special programme has been designed which addresses sexual abuse, gender inequality and gender based violence.

Fun activities include hiking, kayaking, board games, arts and crafts as well as drama and dance classes.

A number of stakeholders have come on board to assist us with the various educational and fun activities. The programme includes various government departments and NGOs, the City of Cape Town, Metro Police and the South African Police Service.

For more information on the Safe Schools Holiday Programme, parents can contact their child's school or their nearest district office.

GRADE 12 WINTER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

Providing curriculum support to our Grade 12 learners is always a priority, particularly in schools where learners are struggling in specific subjects. During the upcoming holidays, the WCED has organised holiday study programmes at a number of our high schools.

The "winter schools" aim to assist learners in high enrolment subjects. These subjects include Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting and Economics.

Many of the programmes on offer will be taught by tutors selected by the WCED.

In some schools, curriculum advisors will be supporting and assisting individual school programmes. Additional resource materials have been developed to complement the lessons being presented.

The dates of each school's programme differ. Some schools have offered programmes on specific days, while others, throughout the holiday period.

For more information on the Grade 12 Holiday Programme, parents can contact their child's school or their nearest district office.

SCHOOL SAFETY

In order to protect our schools, as far as possible, from burglary and vandalism over the holiday period, the WCED's Safe Schools directorate has arranged increased security at some of our high risk identified schools.

We also ask every community member to help their schools by reporting any suspicious behaviour in and around our schools to the police immediately.

While we are pleased that we have been able to offer safe school programmes at schools across the province, we cannot compensate for the role that responsible, committed parents must play in the lives of their children. That is the bedrock of a functional society and we call on parents to take responsibility for their children's safety during the school holiday period and ensure they are kept off the streets and away from alcohol, drugs and gangs.

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

The Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI) is running a number of teacher training and development programmes throughout the winter holidays. Ongoing professional development and training of our educators is a priority for this government.

The seminars include a 2 day "Maths Solutions" Conference which will give our mathematics teachers helpful advice and provide practical examples of ways in which Mathematics can be effectively taught.

Other courses offered at the CTLI include a School Management Team Training Workshop, a course for Grade 9 & 9 teachers on Financial Literacy Teacher Professional Development as well as a course on the Roles and Responsibilities of HOD's Level 2.

NAPTOSA are also hosting a 1 day course called Progro on positive discipline in the classroom.

A 5-day course will also be offered to women that aspire to be school managers and leaders. This course aims to facilitate and enhance the leadership development of women within the WCED and to develop their leadership skills.

WCED LITERACY AND NUMERACY INTERVENTION

From 27^th June -1^st July 2016, the WCED will kick off the ninth year of the literacy and numeracy intervention programme.

Among the primary objectives of the WCED is to build solid foundation in language and mathematics in primary schools. The Literacy and Numeracy Intervention involves the participation of all teachers of 1 to 6 who teach Languages and Mathematics in all public primary schools. The intervention spans an 8-year period, from 2008 until 2016. It is being rolled out in 4 phases, involving approximately 250 schools per phase. Each phase takes 2 years to complete and includes continual holiday training, support, mentoring and coaching in Language and Mathematics.

The intervention makes use of the expertise of specialists in Language and Mathematics teaching, in collaboration with trained WCED curriculum advisers.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish all our educators and learners a pleasant and safe holiday and we hope they return refreshed and ready to tackle the second half of the school year.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663