The DA in the Eastern Cape held its provincial congress in Grahamstown yesterday, where a new executive was elected. New Provincial chairperson Edmund van Vuuren said; "I am enthralled to have been elected as Provincial Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape. "My task, together with a dynamic and experienced executive, is to execute responsibilities entrusted to us, in such a way that the interests of our members will always be supreme. "The road ahead is still very … [Read more...] about New East Cape DA Provincial Executive Named
edmund van vuuren
Education Department officials no-show illustrates contempt for legislature
The no-show of officials from the Zwelitsha head office of the Department of Education in the Provincial Legislature on Thursday 23 February 2012, when the report on schools-visits was presented to the House illustrates contempt for this institution. This unpalatable conduct is a slap in the face of the MEC for Education, the Premier and for legislative processes in general. This disdainful behaviour is indicative of the mess the education is currently in. This is also a sign of disrespect … [Read more...] about Education Department officials no-show illustrates contempt for legislature
East Cape Province Caves in to Union Pressure
The provincial government has caved in to union pressure which is a further setback to the state of education in the Eastern Cape. As a result of the compromise made between the Eastern Cape provincial government and unions including Sadtu and Nehawu today. Education in the Eastern Cape is not the winner and the interest of the unions has once again been put ahead of our learners. An agreement was also made that the redeployment of additional teachers will be put on hold until such time that … [Read more...] about East Cape Province Caves in to Union Pressure
Education Department Must Seek an Urgent High Court Interdict
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has no choice but to seek the help of the courts if it wants schooling for the 2012 academic year to get going in this province. I agree that a complaint should be registered against Sadtu with the South African Human Rights Commission, but the investigation may be time consuming with no immediate resolution for the impasse. I would strongly suggest that the MEC for Education, Mandla Makupula, and his Superintendent-General, Adv. Modidima Mannya,on … [Read more...] about Education Department Must Seek an Urgent High Court Interdict
Education is grinding to a standstill as a result of SADTU illegal action
Education is grinding to a standstill in the Eastern Cape following the latest illegal action by Sadtu which has swept across the province this morning. The latest information I have received from the districts is that Sadtu has instructed - and in some cases forced - officials at these offices to vacate the premises. This behaviour should be condemned by all of us who has the education of our children at heart. By illegally closing these offices numerous school-related issues will not be … [Read more...] about Education is grinding to a standstill as a result of SADTU illegal action
Department of Education Action Welcomed
The Democratic Alliance, through its persistent and continuous debates and interaction with the Department of Education, is pleased to announce that more than 1 500 of 2 103 temporary educators have, as an interim measure, been appointed in substantive vacant posts. This will relieve the pressure on those schools with a dire shortage of teachers responsible for teaching critical subjects, such as Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting and English. We appeal to the Department to have … [Read more...] about Department of Education Action Welcomed
Call on EC schools to Adhere to 2012 Post Provisioning
Schools that refuse to adhere to directives about post provisioning for 2012 are on a collision path with the Eastern Cape Department of Education. In the Port Elizabeth District there are 324 additional educators in 89 schools. The DA was reliably informed that only 17 out of the 89 schools have complied with Collective Agreement 2 of 2003, in identifying and submitting the names of excess educators to the department. In the province we have 6 793 additional educators and 8 896 … [Read more...] about Call on EC schools to Adhere to 2012 Post Provisioning
Shambolic Education Department Raising Teacher Ire
Indiscriminate and unexpected deductions from teachers who have been on incapacity leave without any substantiated documentation from the Department of Education must be condemned in the strongest sense possible. It is unfair that teachers must suffer because the department is in an administrative mess. The Eastern Cape Department of Education is notorious for habitually doing incomprehensible things for which they have been successfully challenged in court. This department has done it … [Read more...] about Shambolic Education Department Raising Teacher Ire
East Cape Education Department Wastes More Money
The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape is stunned but not surprised by yet another irresponsible and senseless waste of funds by the provincial Department of Education. The DA was reliably informed that while the Department of Education is on track to overspend its 2011/2012 budget by almost R2,8 billion due to financial mismanagement and maladministration, the Port Elizabeth district office has in its educational wisdom decided to have a Grade R-Indaba at the Eastern Cape Training … [Read more...] about East Cape Education Department Wastes More Money
Eastern Cape Department of Education R2.8 Billion Short
The Eastern Cape Department of Education needs to find R2.823 billion to balance its books for 2011/12 financial year. This department was allocated an amount of R24.6 billion for the 2011/2012 financial year. Due to accruals, over expenditure and non-budgeting for certain items an amount of R2.823 billion must be found from somewhere in addition to the appropriated amount of R24.6 billion. This shortfall of R2.823 billion is as result of the following: Current accruals amounting to … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Department of Education R2.8 Billion Short
42% of East Cape Section 20 Schools STILL Await Stationery
The Democratic Alliance condemns in the strongest sense the non-delivery of a basic commodity, namely stationery, to 42 %, or 2 367 Section 20 schools around the province. This commodity should have been delivered prior to the opening of schools for the 2011 academic year. It is unacceptable and beyond reason that 2 367 schools out of 5 615 public ordinary schools have been failed by the Eastern Cape Department of Education in not providing 800 000 learners with the necessary resources in … [Read more...] about 42% of East Cape Section 20 Schools STILL Await Stationery
Eastern Cape Department of Education Placed Under Administration
Commenting on the placing of the Eastern Cape Department of Education under administration, DA MPL Edmund van Vuuren said; "The Democratic Alliance concurs wholeheartedly with the decision of the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, to place the Eastern Cape Department of Education under administration. Although the DA is opposed to centralisation, we agree in this case that any intervention that is for the benefit of the learners in this province should be supported. The DA has … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Department of Education Placed Under Administration
