The African National Congress in the Eastern Cape welcomes and appreciates the improvement of the 2016 results albeit Eastern Cape achieved the lowest of the results compared with other provinces. We congratulate all the best and deserving learners who worked so hard to achieve better outcomes. The outcomes and the results are an indication of supreme sacrifices, dedication and passion by the class of 2016 and we congratulate them for their sterling job and performance.
To all the learners who fail to progress to the next academic level we wish to say “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is a courage to continue that counts’’. We also extend our profound appreciation to educators whose progressive consciousness made it possible for this year achievements.
The province of EC is still showing the intricacies of the legacy of underdevelopment. Poor allocation of resources, inadequate infrastructure, gross lack of amenities such as libraries, laboratories, computer labs, research material which are the prerequisites of today’s modern classroom world, and further compounding the situation are the vivid harsh realities of infrastructure backlog and access roads.
Though tremendous progress has been made and recorded when it comes to basic infrastructure requirements, removal of mud schools, provision of water facilities, state of the art schools and new support equipment, much still needs to be done to improve the squalid conditions of our schools.
The ANC calls for the improvement of the working relations and better coordination between the department of education, teacher’s unions as well as stakeholders in education.
In the same breath the ANC commends the department’s intervention programmes (matric intervention plan), students and teachers who worked tirelessly to sustain the improvement of the results. The process of redeployment must be finalised and be dispensed with immediately so as to create a sense of certainty and stability in the sector.
The improvement of 2.5% is a clear indication of the team effort by the education stakeholders. In an effort of changing the current scenario, the ANC calls the province to seriously consider the construction and establishment of well resourced – Model schools with all basic necessities that will improve the skills level of a black child. The programme of building hostels and combination of smaller schools to improve the efficiency, supervision and control of resources is most welcomed, but this must be time-bound, well consulted with parents.
The ANC as an organisation supports and promotes the developmental supervision of both teachers and students, to monitor syllabus coverage, resource allocation and utilization, time management and support required, allocation of stationary and text /set books accordingly and mostly the monitoring of school environment holistically. The Education Development Officer (EDOs), subjects advisors, counselling officials and education professionals must hand-hold schools, identify early and timeously the deficiencies and provide immediate remedial actions as well a turn- around plans.
The ANC fully supports teacher training programmes, reskilling programmes such as in-service training to empower educators, additional support and counselling must be the support systems availed to all our schools to help both teachers and learners with coping skills.The ANC congratulate the appointment of the Superintendent General, Mr Temba Kojana for the department of education as this is an indication of regaining stability and management prowess. Mr Kojana is bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge.
The administrative and management stability at the top will guarantee seamless coordination and effective accountability and consequence management environment in all facets of the department. We call on all education stakeholders to give him support throughout his tenure.It is at this point that the ANC calls for improved levels of discipline, “Discipline must be a premium and non-negotiable element for success, learners must be at school on time learning, teachers on school, well prepared to teach and government providing support with parents reigning on their children to do school work and attendance without fail”.
ANC supports the promotion of the community mobilization so as to change the current picture of the culture of learning. The schools are a reflection of societal values and cultures therefore, community and schools are inseparable. The dysfunctional schools are residing in communities, poor attendance of classes by learners and teachers are well known and documented, failure by government to provide resources too is observed by communities. Therefore working together, we can change the situation and ameliorate the situation for the better.
As we approach January 8th Celebrations 2017, under the theme “Unity in Action” ANC is emboldened by our country’s 72% matric achievement. A unified system of education will further unite new South Africa and bring economic prosperity, economic liberation and radical transfer of socio economic parity to the majority faster when the citizens are well trained, skilled and educated.
Failure to deliver just an equitable compulsory and free education for the poor, all our hard earned endeavors will remain elusive. The January 8th Celebrations must set a tone for 2017 to be a year of free education and economic radical delivery.
This statement must be attributed to the ANC Provincial Spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
For more information please contact
ANC Eastern Cape Acting Communications Officer
Judy Ngoloyi on 073 117 6194 / 063 687 8267
Email: judy.ngoloyi@gmail.com
