edmund van vuuren

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance took a principled stance today and withdrew from further attendance of this week’s Taking Legislature to the People in Port St Johns. We cannot allow the rules of the legislature to be flouted and do not want to be party to non-compliance. It unacceptable that questions for oral reply on Wednesdays when the House is sitting has been deemed unnecessary and frivolous by the ANC government and the Presiding Officers, particularly when taking the Legislature … [Read more...] about DA takes tough stance on axing of Oral Questions in EC Legislature

Dear MyPE A total of 68 legislature questions by the DA, relating to the general business of governance in the various Eastern Cape departments, have been left unanswered, some dating back as far as 2014. Have matters in the ANC administration in the province deteriorated to such an extent that MECs are afraid to answer questions that hold them to account? This is not about the DA. Members of our community are being badly let down when MECs fail to answer questions where change or … [Read more...] about Community being let down by failure to answer legislature questions

Dear MyPE Education MEC Mandla Makupula’s 2018 post declaration has failed to address the ongoing issue of substantive vacant posts in the province. The province still has a total of 3 456 vacant posts. A DA-run provincial government would never allow this ongoing issue to fester. Yesterday, MEC Makupula declared an educator post basket of 54 026 for the 2018 academic year. This is 721 less than the 54 747 posts declared in 2016 and 2017. The DA believes that a good education is … [Read more...] about Education post declaration will not address teacher vacancies

Dear MyPE Every year, on 30 September, the MEC for Education declares the number of teaching posts in the province, based on the number of learners in the school system. Last year, the number of posts of 2017 remained the same as in 2016, totalling 54 747. Unfortunately, the number of posts declared was not enough for the 5 500 schools in the province, resulting in a number of vacant substantive posts in the system. Substantive posts are those posts budgeted for by the Department of … [Read more...] about 30 September teacher post declaration must sufficiently address the numerous substantive vacancies in the Eastern Cape

Dear MyPE Farm schools that are working efficiently and effectively should remain open. It makes no sense to close these schools when no scholar transport or boarding facilities are in place. I have written to the MEC of Education, Mandla Makupula, and the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Fundile Gade, to request that farm schools that are working efficiently and effectively remain open. We cannot follow a blanket-approach in this matter. If the rationalisation … [Read more...] about Closure of well-run farm schools is not in the interest of children of farm labourers

Dear MyPE Betrayed, let down and abandoned are some of the emotions that the learners of Chapman High School feel. Two weeks into the new academic year, the department has failed to deliver stationery packs to Chapman High School in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth leaving learners without the required materials they need. Chapman High School is regarded as one of the top performing schools in the Port Elizabeth District having achieved a pass rate of 86.6% in 2016 and the … [Read more...] about No stationery for learners at Chapman High School

Dear MyPE It is an open question as to how many of the 94 000 full-time matriculants made the cut in the 2016 final exams. The DA is hoping that we will break through the 60% barrier. This, however, will be a tough nut to crack giving the fact the second term (June 2016) provincial results stood at 44.9 % and in September 2016 improved to 48.3%. It will indeed be a miracle for the province to get into the lower sixties given the 56.8% matric pass rate achieved in 2015. The 94 000 … [Read more...] about East Cape matric results expectations

Dear MyPE Officials from the department of education headquarters in Zwelitsha must explain why a report on alleged abuse of pupils at the Bhisho Primary School and the alleged abuse of power by members of the South African Democratic Teacher's Union (Sadtu) has been gathering dust for seven months.  What are they hiding and who are they afraid of? In a caring society, where quality education for our children is a priority, the unionisation of school governance that favours misconduct … [Read more...] about Just where is the seven-month-old report on alleged abuse at Bhisho school?

Dear MyPE On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I wish all our Grade 12 learners well as they embark on the last leg of their school careers when their matric finals commence on Monday, 24 October 2016. Your matric year represents a pivotal time in your life and offers the opportunity to set the tone for your future life. We look forward to your contribution towards making this province a place of prosperity and forward thinking. This can only be achieved through your determination to … [Read more...] about Best wishes to the Class of 2016 for the matric finals

Dear MyPE Slow spending by the Department of Education puts a big damper on the announcement by Premier Phumulo Masualle last week that R1.7 billion was "set aside" for the construction of 44 schools, including some that suffered damage due to natural disasters in recent years. The department had only spent 11% of its infrastructure budget in the first quarter of the 2016/17 financial year (1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016).  A DA-government will ensure that every available cent is spent on … [Read more...] about Slow infrastructure expenditure puts damper on education MEC’s promises

Dear MyPE Expectations that Education MEC Mandla Makupula will not reduce the number of teacher posts in the Eastern Cape despite fewer pupil numbers is welcomed. The MEC will announce the 2017 post declaration on Friday, 30 September 2016. The DA's vision in the Eastern Cape is the provision of quality education that prepares learners for work in a fast-changing global economy. To achieve this, we need a system that is free from teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. We owe it to … [Read more...] about Put a teacher in front of every classroom in every school

Dear MyPE The DA repeats its call that the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Mandla Makupula, must resign and spare the province from another year of self-denial, failure and bumbling for one disaster to the next.  The latest shocker has been the loss of R530-million of the Eastern Cape's Education Infrastructure Grant. Early this year, we also called for the MEC to do the right thing, after the disappointing matric results of the Eastern Cape for 2015 56.8 %, despite the MEC's prediction of … [Read more...] about Repeat call for Education MEC to resign

Dear MyPE ANC MPL Christian Martin’s must show some political will and ask the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Mandla Makupula, to resign instead of taking action against the wrong people.  This morning, MPL Martin laid criminal charges against the Department of Education in connection with the closure of schools in the northern areas due to teacher shortages. The ANC is so confused about what the solutions are that they are now laying charges against each other. By opening a case … [Read more...] about ANC MPL lays charges against EC Department of Education

Dear MyPE The DA believes that a fresh political leadership who are willing to make the tough calls and adopt best practices and guidance is needed to turn around education in the Eastern Cape. If this ship is to be turned around, the MEC for Education must objectively consider the following: The re-introduction of school inspectors must be fast-tracked. The roll-out of access to Information Technology to all schools. Consolidate the 23 districts: there are too many dysfunctional … [Read more...] about Education reform needed