Learners across the Eastern Cape will be starting the school year in 17 newly built schools thanks to the Department of Education Eastern Cape commitment to improve the learning and teaching environments for pupils. The Coega Development Corporation (CDC), which is the implementing agent for several projects on behalf of the Department of Basic Education, announced today that it has delivered 17 schools of 25 Infrastructure Upliftment Programmes across the Eastern Cape. The CDC took on the … [Read more...] about R83 Million School Infrastructure Projects successfully delivered
education
EC Schools will not have a teacher in each classroom
Dear MyPE The DA is disappointed with the declaration by education MEC Mandla Makupula this morning that the post provisioning for 2015 will remain the same as in 2014, with no new additional posts for the introduction of an African language, which forms part of the declaration. With no extra posts allocated, it means that schools in the Eastern Cape will in 2015 again fall short of having a teacher in each classroom. According to the declaration there will be 55 796 posts for educators … [Read more...] about EC Schools will not have a teacher in each classroom
Numbers must not be cut for 2015 teacher post provisioning
Dear MyPE Eastern Cape education MEC Mandla Makupula must consider the outcry from schools that more teachers are needed when tomorrow he releases the teacher post provisioning for 2015. Teacher numbers must not be cut. We hope that he will be proactive in his pronouncements that he will secure a teacher for every classroom. Despite the department's claims of the reduction in learner numbers in the province, the turmoil experienced this year in our schools is an indication that the … [Read more...] about Numbers must not be cut for 2015 teacher post provisioning
Bankrupt school sells braai stands and drums to pay creditors
Dear MyPE The Templeton Secondary School in Bedford is so desperate for funds that a teacher is making braai stands and drums for sale for R300 to pay creditors. Next to go will be the school's tractor and the school bus. A donation of nartjies is being sold to pay for paper. This is a heart-breaking example of the agonising struggles faced by schools in the province as result of the collapse of the Eastern Cape Department of Education. An investigation by the DA has revealed not only … [Read more...] about Bankrupt school sells braai stands and drums to pay creditors
Education MEC has no plan for Afrikaans speaking teacher shortage
Dear MyPE Eastern Cape MEC for Education Mandla Makupula has no plan to solve the shortage of Afrikaans speaking teachers for schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. I was most disappointed with the MECs weak response during an interview last night on Fokus on SABC 3, where he was given the platform to explain his department's solutions to the ongoing education crisis in the Eastern Cape. He has no plan, nor solutions for the Northern Areas, where learners are predominantly … [Read more...] about Education MEC has no plan for Afrikaans speaking teacher shortage
Eastern Cape violated constitutional rights of learners
Dear MyPE The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found that the Eastern Cape Departments of Education and Transport have violated the constitutional right to basic education by failing to provide learners with transport to and from school. The report was compiled following the DA's complaint last year. We visited the Zweledinga Senior Secondary School in Queenstown and walked over 12 km with learners, who do not have access to scholar transport. Some children in the Eastern … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape violated constitutional rights of learners
MEC challenged to implement solutions to mounting education crisis
Dear MyPE Parents are watching the future of their children dissolve in front of their eyes and they are taking to the streets in a desperate appeal to the Department of Education to hear their plight. On Monday, 25 August some 40 schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth embarked on mass action which includes the closure of these schools by parents. These desperate acts are not limited to the metro, it has been happening throughout the province. On behalf of the DA, I once again … [Read more...] about MEC challenged to implement solutions to mounting education crisis
Alleged Pankie Sizani ghost teacher posts an example of how little ANC cares for education
Dear MyPE The DA will be watching the outcome of the court case against Pankie Sizani for allegedly creating ghost teacher posts. If convicted, no mercy must be shown to her or her high-raking husband, Stone Sizani, who is a former education MEC and who currently serves as chief whip of the ANC in parliament. This case, which has been dragging on since 2011, is a diabolical example of how little the ANC cares for education. This case will be a real test for the ANC to act against their … [Read more...] about Alleged Pankie Sizani ghost teacher posts an example of how little ANC cares for education
SA’s first MathSci competition on Mxit
In just a few weeks on 13 August, Grade 9 and 11 learners across the Eastern Cape will be putting their maths and science knowledge to the test in the province's first "MathSci" competition - and it's run completely on Mxit. Last year saw the province's first Maths competition on Mxit - called MathMxit - and the high-tech mode of testing has this year been extended to include science. In the Eastern Cape, the competition will run over three rounds taking place on August 13, September 10 … [Read more...] about SA’s first MathSci competition on Mxit
The Impact of Effective, Practical, Supportive Practitioner-Training in Early Childhood
Recent research by Port Elizabeth's Dr. Lauren Stretch into the effectiveness of practitioner training in underprivileged early childhood development, has uncovered that a deep practitioner understanding of childhood growth and development results in effective stimulation and development which in-turn sets them up for a successful progression in their education. Considering the Government’s National Development Plan and vision for 2030, and its emphasis on education, we need to set our … [Read more...] about The Impact of Effective, Practical, Supportive Practitioner-Training in Early Childhood
R150K in donations to Walmer High School
Masifunde Learner Development received a R65 000 donation to equip the Walmer High School library with the much needed textbooks and reference books. In addition to the donation, Algoa FM also announced today at an assembly of 1500 learners and teachers that they are also awarding Walmer High School with an Algoa FM bursary to the value of R85 000 at Varsity College. This bursary will be awarded to a grade 12 Walmer High School learner who successfully completes their final school year in … [Read more...] about R150K in donations to Walmer High School
Eastern Cape is top spender on travel and accommodation
The following speech was delivered in the Eastern Cape Legislature on Thursday by the DA's Shadow MEC for Finance, Bobby Stevenson MPL, during the budget vote debate of Provincial Planning and Treasury. This budget takes place against a bleak fiscal and economic outlook for the province and country. The budget speech was made on the 6 March the projected growth for South Africa was 2.7 %. The projected growth rate for South Africa is now 1.7%. We've just faced a 25 basis point interest … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape is top spender on travel and accommodation
Take the first step towards your future
On Saturday 2nd August, Varsity College Port Elizabeth will welcome all scholars from the Nelson Mandela Bay area and beyond to its campus for its annual Open Day. The event will be held specifically to outline study opportunities available to prospective students as 2015 rapidly approaches. Each scholar will be greeted with a welcome pack of Varsity College "goodies" and the opportunity of winning a R10 000 Varsity College bursary before being escorted on a campus tour. There will be an … [Read more...] about Take the first step towards your future
Basic Education to prioritise teachers’ needs
Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, says her department will prioritise the working conditions of teachers, including their professional development. Presenting the department's budget vote in Parliament on Tuesday, the minister said her department, together with the Department of Higher Education and Training, was working to strengthen this very important area of work. She said the department would also focus on the conditions of employment, recruitment, deployment and … [Read more...] about Basic Education to prioritise teachers’ needs
Little hope for jobs for EC Funza Lushaka bursary holders
There is little hope for jobs for new teachers who have qualified under the Funza Lushaka bursary scheme despite its slogan, 'Make a difference...become a teacher'. According to the reply to a legislature question I asked the MEC for Education, Mandla Makapula, his department had 5 239 vacancies and 9 144 additional educations as at 27 January. In addition, the department had 846 Funza Lushaka graduates on its database who qualified in 2012 and 2013. These graduates would be "prioritised" … [Read more...] about Little hope for jobs for EC Funza Lushaka bursary holders
