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Fedsas: Radicals have turned the Hoërskool Overvaal furore into political football

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Fedsas: Radicals have turned the Hoërskool Overvaal furore into political football

Thabo Mohlala

The unabating protest action outside Hoërskool Overvaal which resulted in a march yesterday is extremely disturbing and does not bode well for the future, said Paul Colditz, a chief executive officer of the Federation of the Governing Bodies of South Africa (Fedsas).

Colditz was reacting to the march staged by the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) Gauteng and its mass democratic movement allies to hand a memorandum to the school’s governing body.

The protest started last week Wednesday on the first day of the academic year following the North Gauteng High Court ruling that went against the Gauteng Department of Education’s instruction to Hoërskool Overvaal to place 55 grade 8 learners.  The department has appealed the judgment.

Colditz also expressed concerns that the protest may escalate and descend into anarchy reminiscent of the Vuwani debacle. Colditz said what worries him most is the protesters’ defiance of Minister Angie Motshekga’s call to stop their protest campaign and pursue the matter through legitimate legal means.

Earlier this week Motshekga visited the school to douse the fires and met teachers and representatives of the protesters to ensure school functions normally. She said those who were unhappy with the recent court judgment should halt their protest and join Gauteng Education Department in its appeal as friends of the court.

“It [protest] does not bode well for the future of the country. It has the potential to develop into a full-blown anarchy, people must respect the rule of law; the court has made a ruling on the matter and they must raise their objections through the courts and stop disrupting schooling,” said Colditz

“I was there on Monday with Minister Motshekga and we saw learners sitting on the floor because of lack of space. The school’s actual capacity is 598 while the learner enrolment currently stands at 610. Clearly, the school is over-subscribed, what must the SGB do in this situation?” Colditz asked.

He said the protest was fuelled by political considerations and was carried out by a few radical elements bent on disrupting learning at the school.

Meanwhile, South African Teachers’ Union (Saou) has laid a formal charge of hate speech and racism with the Human Rights Commission following a Facebook posting by an Aubrey Thamsanqa. The posting reads: “Please Zuma give us the guns to defend our democracy… ‘one bullet, een Boere kind.’

In a statement yesterday, the union said the posting was racist and intended to disrupt and incite murder. Said Saou: “the “matter has degenerated into a political ‘playing field’ which directly and negatively impacts the learners not only at Hoërskool Overvaal but all learners in the area and disrupts education across the board.”

The union also said it was seriously considering approaching the office of the Public Protector “to audit the leave records of those educators who have joined the protests”. The union said there was a strong case to be made that teachers who took part in the protest during working hours took “unauthorised leave and are guilty of deserting their posts”, that the teachers “have prejudiced the education rights of those learners who were forced to join the protest action”.

Such violations, said the union, were sufficient grounds for the employer to take disciplinary actions against the teachers who took part in the march.

Alarming number of students are squatting at WSU and King Dalindyebo TVET College

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Alarming number of students are squatting at WSU and King Dalindyebo TVET College

Bonile Khanyi

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on Thursday expressed its shock at the vast number of students squatting in residences at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee said it made the discovery during a week-long oversight trip to the province.

“The Committee received a first-hand experience of the situation at WSU’s Nelson Mandela Drive Campus where a single room accommodates three or more students due to limited student accommodation and the non-existence of access controls in the student residences,” read the statement.

“Also, both WSU’s Zamukulungisa and Nelson Mandela Drive Campuses have decaying student residence, lecture rooms and recreational facilities something that poses a grave challenge to student development.”

The committee said that during its visit, members of the Student Representative Council (SRC); the National Education‚ Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) raised their concerns about overcrowding and a lack of maintenance at residences.

“WSU’s SRC President, Mr Siphelo Mkhuzangwe indicated that the communication breakdown between the university management and students hinders the processes of resolving many issues relating to student development. NEHAWU and NTEU representatives expressed similar views, stating that labour unions are not consulted on important issues and that there is no transparency and the university management is not accountable,” read the statement.

During his presentation on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rob Midgley briefed the Committee on the maintenance backlog faced by the university, the plans to expand student accommodation and on progress on the 2018 registration process.

Meanwhile, KSD TVET College SRC Chairperson Mgweba Yanelisa refused to comment on students squatting at the institution.

Instead, Yanelisa said that students should not be forced to travel up and down to register, due to the lack of staff.

It is unclear what constituency plans both institutions have put in place to ensure that students won’t suffer when school starts. Registration at both WSU and KSD TVET College, however, is said to be running smoothly.

 

Learner stabbed to death at a school in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga

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Learner stabbed to death at a school in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga

Thabo Mohlala

A 16-year-old learner was stabbed to death by his peer at a school, which is yet to be identified, in Kwamhlanga, Mpumalanga. 

Although details are still sketchy, police revealed the incident took place on Tuesday after the two learners were involved a fierce fight.

Police did not want to disclose the name of the school at which the incident took place.

The deceased sustained multiple stabbing wounds and was rushed to a hospital but he pronounced dead on arrival. The police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect who fled the scene. The public is requested to contact the local police about his whereabouts.

Earlier this month the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) Mpumalanga released a statement lamenting the rising levels of school-based violence in the province. The statement referred to an incident where a teacher assaulted a female learner and the union called upon the police to arrest the culprit.

Speaking to Inside Education about the incident this afternoon, Sadtu’s Walter Hlaise, said violence at schools happens all the time and most incidents go unreported.

“It is only when there is death that the issue makes it to the media. What I can say is that violence in the province takes place quite often just like it does in others,” he said.

Hlaise said the findings of a research conducted by Sadtu showed that violence at schools mirrors what happens in the broader society.

“We should not look at it in isolation from what happens outside of our schools. Until society has dealt sufficiently with the issue of violence there is no way we can expect schools not be affected by it. As adults were are prone to resolving our differences through violent means and our children do likewise,” said Hlaise.

He said they were currently piloting a gender-based violence and bullying programme to try and educating learners and teachers about adverse effects of violence. He said it was still too early to determine if it was successful or not.

 

Sadtu Gauteng hand over memorandum to Hoërskool Overvaal SGB

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Sadtu Gauteng hand over memorandum to Hoërskool Overvaal SGB

Thabo Mohlala

Multitudes of South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) Gauteng members joined by members from the tripartite alliance marched earlier today to hand over a memorandum to the chairperson of the Hoërskool Overvaal school governing body to demand the placement of 55 grade 8 learners.

Representatives from head office and district offices were also present to receive the memorandum, according to Sadtu’s Tseliso Ledimo.

“I think the march was successful and incident-free. The chairperson of the school’s SGB came to receive the memorandum, albeit initially reluctant. But he did come to receive it eventually. Also in attendance were officials from head-office and the district office. We have given the school seven working days within which to respond to our demands,” said Ledimo.

He said they invited members of the tripartite alliance because this was not only an educational issue but also a community matter. He said the presence of the unions added to weight to their demands.

Asked what will happen if the school did not respond within the prescribed time, Ledimo told Inside Education that they would pile on the pressure.

“Remember this is a rolling campaign, we will not stop until the SGB has reconsidered its position on our demand,” he said.

Regarding the potential impact the march will have on teaching and learning at the school, Ledimo said: “this is a fundamental transformation issue in the country. We take this matter [the continued use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction) seriously. It carries the same significance as the June 1976 Soweto uprising.”

Yesterday the union told Inside Education that Hoërskool Overvaal was using the lack of capacity as a pretext to exclude kids who do not speak Afrikaans. It was said according to its investigations, the school had enough capacity to accommodate the 55 grade 8 learners. It further said the school is a public asset and must admit learners who live in the vicinity of the school instead of them travelling long distances to attend English medium schools.

Gauteng education department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, has reportedly warned the marchers to tread carefully as their actions may impact negatively on the learning and teaching.

“Disruption or bullying, is not taking us anywhere. We will call on all members of the community to say if we have issues raised, we just have to bear in mind that when we take a day from our learners or educators, this must have a recovery plan,” Mabona told EWN on Thursday.

Kraaifontein parents demand places in school for their children

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Kraaifontein parents demand places in school for their children

Vincent Lali

Angry parents demonstrated outside Bloekombos Primary School in Kraaifontein on Monday, demanding that the Western Cape Education Department put up prefab classrooms for children who were turned away from local schools.

The Department said the parents had failed to enrol their children in time. But officials would work with the parents to place these learners in schools. “We are looking at placing mobile classrooms at nearby schools to accommodate the unexpected growth,” said Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Debbie Schafer, MEC for education.

Singing “amandla awasoze aphele,” (our power will never die) parents locked the main gate of the school to prevent teachers and learners from going home.

Community leader Linda Phito said the parents wanted the department to set up prefab classrooms in all primary schools in Wallacedene and Bloekombos to accommodate children who could not find places at local schools.

“We identified an open space near Bloekombos Clinic where the department can place the temporary classrooms,” he said.

Phito said there were about 500 children from Grade one to seven who could not find places at schools in Wallacedene and Bloekombos.

Bloekombos Primary School principal Thula Batyi said there were 298 children on the school’s waiting list. “We have no space. We can accommodate more learners only if the department gives us prefab classrooms and nine teachers,” he said.

Batyi said classrooms were already overcrowded. “We are supposed to have 38 learners in each classroom, but some classrooms have 46 to 57 learners,” he said.

Batyi said the demonstration outside the school gate filled teachers with fear.

“We are locked inside the school yard. How do we get out?” he asked.

Mhlakaza Malehloholo said she had registered her children aged 5, 10 and 13, at Bloekombos Primary School in December last year.

She said: “When I brought the kids’ final reports and testimonials in January, the teachers told me that the kids have been accepted and I must just wait for their call. The teachers also gave me a list of the stationery the learners would need.”

“I have already bought stationery and uniforms for the kids, but now the teachers tell me the school is full. I have wasted my money,” said Malehloholo.

Sinazo Vena said she had registered her child in Grade five at nearby Ekuthuleni Primary School in October last year. “The school principal now says my kid is on the waiting list even though I registered her on time. I want my kid to attend school and study to become a nurse,” she said.

Moses Nkosemntu said he wanted his daughter to attend Grade two at Bloekombos Primary School because it is close to where he lives. “I want my kid to study and become a professional. I don’t want her to be a general worker like me,” he said.

Shelver said: “The parents protesting at Bloekombos Primary on Monday are parents of learners who reportedly failed to enrol their children on time. This means that they are late applications.”

“The parents’ failure to enrol their children on time made it impossible for the WCED to foresee and plan accordingly,” she said.

“Our officials will work with the parents to place these learners in schools. We are looking at placing mobile classrooms at nearby schools to accommodate the unexpected growth. We now urge parents to work with us to ensure that the learners are placed as quickly as possible.”

This article was originally published on GroundUp.

 

The drought will not affect schools says Western Cape education

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The drought will not affect schools says Western Cape education

Thabo Mohlala

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is confident it has put the necessary contingency plans in place to avert the possible disruption of schooling in the province due to the worsening drought in the province.

The situation is so dire authorities were forced to revise a date for the dreaded Day Zero – a day on which the taps in the city of Cape Town its surrounds will run dry – and brought it forward to April.  

WCED’s spokesperson Jessica Shelver said they were working towards finalising plans for the scheduled day zero and these would be announced to the public once they have been completed. She said it is the provincial government’s intention to keep the schools open and functional when Day Zero is reached in the metro.

Shelver said Premier Helen Zille is scheduled to meet with the principals of around 1000 schools in the greater Cape Town next week. The schools rely on the water from the province’s main supply system and these include Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and West Coast municipalities. Shelver said the meeting with the leadership of these sectors will discuss in detail how to secure water supply to schools.

She said the provincial government has conducted an assessment of the approximately 400 schools with existing boreholes and that the majority of these boreholes require minimal work to operationalize for hygiene and fire safety purposes.

“We are also finalising plans for schools that require additional support to secure their water supply. A range of measures are under consideration, including additional water storage and the distribution of water to schools,” said Shelver.

“WCED also identified schools as strategic agencies to spread the message and contribute to water saving measures,” said Shelver.

Last November and early this year, the department issued guidelines to schools to notify them about Level 6 water restrictions.

“[The] schools are well placed to contribute to water saving, given the learner population in the Western Cape. They are also well placed to educate families about water saving, via their children,” said Shelver.

Some of the water management plans (focusing mainly on saving water in ablution facilities) that schools are encouraged to implement include:

  • Schools need to close certain taps in ablution facilities and may procure hand sanitizers using funds allocated to them in terms of national norms and standards.
  • They must attend to leaks immediately and record water meters twice a day. The department issued a programmed spread sheet to schools last year for monitoring water usage.
  • Schools must prepare for water outages, including storing water on site for emergency use. The department is advising schools with swimming pools to use public facilities, including schools using water from boreholes.
  • Schools must keep parents informed of their water management strategies and encourage learners and teachers to bring their own drinking water to school, for example, in 500 ml bottles.
  • Schools should mobilise parent support for water saving, and should advise parents on the possible impact of the drought on teaching and learning.
  • The department is encouraging every teacher to be water champions and is placing water restrictors and smart meters at schools.
  • Schools with access to alternative sources of water must secure these resources. About 480 schools already have boreholes.

Sadtu Gauteng vows to put more pressure on Hoërskool Overvaal SGB

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Sadtu Gauteng vows to put more pressure on Hoërskool Overvaal SGB

Thabo Mohlala

South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) Gauteng said it would intensify the demonstrations at Hoërskool Overvaal in Vereeniging until the school governing body (SGB) accedes to the demand of introducing English as a medium of instruction.

Speaking to Inside Education this morning, the union’s spokesperson, Tseliso Ledimo, said he was satisfied with the way the campaign was going saying this would culminate in a march on Thursday where they would present memoranda to the school governing body and the district offices. He said they had been part of the protest since the school re-opened last week Wednesday.

Asked how long they would demonstrate, Ledimo said this would be determined by the SGB’s willingness to engage.

“That is what is fundamental to us, we want them to come to the table to discuss the issue of turning the school into a dual medium. We believe negotiations have always been part of the culture on how, we in South Africa, resolve our differences,” said Ledimo.

He said it was at that meeting that they would agree if the 55 learners would be placed or if they would stay where they are currently enrolled until 2019. Ledimo said they would use the campaign to “knock sense” into the SGB and the Hoerskool Overvaal’s case can be used to deal with other Afrikaans single medium schools as a way of addressing the broader transformation project.

As to why their members join the demonstration during office hours, Ledimo said in terms of the law they were permitted to take time off for executive union duties. He said most of the members who were part of the protest were teachers drawn from schools in Sedibeng.

“We are aware that they are supposed to be away from their jobs indefinitely but the law does allow them to be off from work for eight days in a year. They are required to fill in leave forms and arrange with the school management to ensure the learners do not suffer while they are away. So far they have only been away for roughly two days,” said Ledimo, adding that he thought they were still within the prescribed legal requirement as we speak.

In its statement last week, the union dismissed as “nonsensical” the school’s assertion that it does not have capacity to place 55 grade 8 learners. He said the SBG met with the Gauteng education department (GDE) where it was agreed the school would start  dual-medium of instruction this year

“The school has 21 classrooms four of which are not used for teaching and learning. The school had 610 learners in 2017. The 55 grade 8 learners could have been easily accommodated in 2018. This school has 22 state employed and 6 SGB employed educators all of whom are white.

“Clearly, the so-called lack of capacity is nonsensical. This is a public school which must serve the needs of the immediate community which is largely a Black community,” read part of the statement.

The union also expressed its support for the GDE’s decision to appeal the judgment as it believes another court would arrive at a different conclusion.

Minister Angie Motshekga calls for peace at Hoërskool Overvaal  

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Minister Angie Motshekga calls for peace at Hoërskool Overvaal  

Thabo Mohlala

Minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga, called for calm at Hoërskool Overvaal as various political parties continue to protest outside the school premises.

Motshekga addressed media on Monday afternoon following a meeting with school management, representatives of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Governing (Fedsas), Gauteng education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi and other stakeholders.

“I went to the school to speak to the school management and to check on the learner attendance and their safety. More importantly, I wanted to reassure them that as the department we respect the rule of law and that we are not going to impose any decision we take on them. I told them that we will work closely with them on how to normalise the situation and deal with whatever matters that have led to the situation outside the public glare,” said Motshekga.

The protest was sparked when the North Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the school in a case against the education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi wanted the school to admit 55 learners but the school refused, citing a lack of capacity. Protesters, however, believe the school is racist and denying access to children who do not speak Afrikaans. The school uses Afrikaans as the medium of instruction.

Motshekga said over the weekend she also spoke to the provincial secretary of the ANC and requested they hold a peaceful protest without incitement of violence. She said children should not be endangered and school should not be disrupted. Motshekga said a decision was also taken to speak to every political party including the Economic Freedom Fighters who she said met with MEC Lesufi.

“I am told it was a tough meeting but in the end they reached an agreement on the need to keep things calm,” said Motshekga.

She said Gauteng was under immense pressure for space and therefore they want to place as many children as possible. However, she also conceded there was merit in the judgment that “indeed as the department, we have problems with spaces but we can’t also make impossible demands on schools which they would not be able to meet in a short period of time”.

Said Motshekga: “So, partly yes, as government we are happy with how the court handled the matter but we are also saying it can’t be our problem alone as government to find space because every child has a right to access education. We have to be able to strike the balance somewhere and schools in the communities would have to accept the fact that we are under pressure to find space for every child.”  

She suggested that since the matter was the subject of the courts, the protesters should join Gauteng education department as friends of the court.

Teaching children to read must become the number one priority says Angie Motshekga

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Teaching children to read must become the number one priority says Angie Motshekga

Bonile Khanyi

Reading at lower grades must become a priority said basic education minister Angie Motshekga on Monday. She was speaking at the opening of the third annual education lekgotla held at the Saint George Hotel in Irene, Gauteng.

Referring to the results of the 2016 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), Motshekga said the outcome was disappointing and far below the expectations the sector set for itself.

“The 2016 results tell us that the need is just as relevant today and we must make reading the number one priority in the sector.”

Motshekga said the department would look at the quality of schooling in lower grades.

The three-day event’s theme is “Equipping Learners 20th Knowledge and Skills for a Changing World’’.

As such, Motshekga said the lekgotla’s main focus should be: “making conditions conducive for the children of South Africa to access their basic right to education without any impediments”. 

Motshekga referred to a report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) which revealed an increase in the number of learners who entered the education system over the past several years.

“According to Stats SA’s Education Series Volume III: Educational Enrolment and Achievement, 2016 – Attendance of pre-school has increased from an estimated 949 000 in 2002 to 2 059 000 in 2015. Attendance of Grade R has increased from an estimated 686 000 in 2010 to 1 222 000 in 2015 indicating that policy measures aimed at increasing participation in early childhood development are beginning to bear fruit,” said Motshekga.

She also said the number of pupils who completed Grade 12 at the age of 15 and above, increased by 2.3 million over the last two decades.

“The completion of Grade 12 by population aged 15 and more has increased from an estimated 3, 7 million in 1996 to 11, 6 million in 2016; and completion of higher educational institution by population aged 15 and more has increased from an estimated 1, 3 million in 1996 to 3, 6 million in 2016,” said Motshekga.

Motshekga also called on all South Africans to celebrate President Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

“This year, as we celebrate the Madiba’s centenary, we shall intensify our efforts to realise his vision of a united South Africa in which all live in peace with equal rights and opportunities,” said Motshekga.

“We shall celebrate his centenary not only as the people of South Africa, but also as a continent and as the broader global community.”

Maths & Science Centre Produces 5493 Distinctions

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Maths & Science Centre Produces 5493 Distinctions

Vicky Abraham

An esteemed centre for Maths, Science and Technology, Kutlwanong has produced 1050 distinctions for the 2017 matric exams.

Kutlwanong is a Section 21, non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Basic Education. It was founded in 2005 in Dobsonville, Soweto and focuses on boosting Maths and Science performance of township and rural students through learner support, teacher development and career path programmes.

It started with 140 Grade 12 learners, tutored by four educators. Currently, they have 368 educators and 18 centres and have tutored over 16,041 learners in seven provinces.

In 2017, the centre enrolled 2,500 matriculants and 1,690 obtained bachelor’s degree passes.

Founder Tumelo Mabitsela said, they produced 610 distinctions in Physical Sciences with 11 learners scoring 100%, and others 90% and 99% in 2017.

In Maths, 512 distinctions were produced with four learners scoring 100%, others obtained between 90% and 99%. Two learners who wrote advanced Maths obtained distinctions. For Accounting 22 students obtained distinctions with two scoring 100%.

“Since our inception in 2005, we have produced 16,041 decent passes to date (50-100%) and 4,443 Grade 12 distinctions for Maths and Science. Kutlwanong (Promaths programme) has assisted over 16,041 learners today, of which 2371 obtained distinctions in Maths core and 38 in Maths Paper 3 and 1,894 in Physical Sciences and 140 in Accounting. Total distinctions we produced is 4,443,” said Mabitsela.

The figure has increased with 1,050 distinctions in 2017, which saw the centre produce 5,493 distinctions since its inception.

Each year, they have at least five learners that are top performers at a national level, who receive a special invitation from the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and are invited to the gala by the Gauteng Provincial MEC, Panyaza Lesufi.

“Our success is that we don’t look at student performance in a vacuum. For a learner to produce top results, they need to be committed to their studies requiring them to apply specific life skills like discipline, time management, resisting distractions and competitiveness. We foster these qualities from Grade 10, so that when learners get to Grade 12, they are prepared mentally for the journey ahead.”

“Beyond our statistics, I have seen real lives change and a new breed of matric learner bloom. Our programme has significantly created alumni of young black students entering tertiary education and professional careers in large numbers for the first time. A more significant outcome is that these students dare to dream. They want to succeed and know that it is within their reach.”

Mabitsela said as a father and an educator, he is passionate about education and the role it plays in opening doors and helping young people access tertiary education and employment opportunities.

“As a principal at Makhoarane School in Soweto, I noticed that while learners obtained distinctions and good marks in the languages, Maths and Science performance was poor, year-on-year. A contributing factor to poor performance was time spent on tasks for these subjects. Classroom time was not enough to grasp Maths and Science concepts and to ask questions. Based on the pressure to complete the syllabus, a new topic was introduced each day, whether or not students were ready for it,” said Mabitsela.

“There came a point where I had to get involved to make a difference. I wanted students to be proficient at these subjects to follow on scarce skills that our country needed. Our aim was to provide quality Maths and Science tuition for a small group of students, in the very area I resided in (Dobsonville). I wanted to make a difference on my doorstep, and I wanted to see results – students passing and excelling at these subjects. My vision was to help students improve their Maths and Science performance, making professional careers like Chartered Accountancy, Finance, IT and others accessible. I also understood early on that subject performance was not an isolated issue. These subjects were intimidating and there were few local role models to help students feel empowered to succeed. Our programme needed to motivate learners and help them believe that success was within their reach,” said Mabitsela.

He said from humble beginnings, Kutlwanong started out with a vision to improve Maths and Science high school performance. Their programme is now diverse, encouraging students to not only think about life after matric but to plan for it.

*Meanwhile, Bhukulani Secondary School in Zola, Soweto, produced 123 distinctions in various subjects for 2017 exams and 144 in 2016.

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