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20 January 2004
Media Release
2004 -
Year of Action for KZN Department of Education
The Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Narend Singh,
accompanied one of many teams that are visiting schools on the first day when
learners return, to monitor schools’ readiness to commence with teaching at
the beginning of the year. Two delegates will accompany the Minister from the
National Department of Education, journalists and Senior Officials of the
Department when he visits Vuyiswa Mtolo Secondary at 08h00 followed by Inanda
Special School, Sithengile Secondary and Phephile Primary School.
The National Department of Education will be sending out
almost 10 delegates during 20 – 21 January 2004 to visit schools in different
parts of KZN to focus on school development plans, registration of learners,
percentage learner and educator attendance, procurement and delivery of Learner
Support Material (LSM), start of lessons, 2003 examination performance, physical
conditions of school, involvement of School Governing Bodies and the Primary
School Nutrition Programme.
Following hard upon the success of last year’s Senior
Certificate Examination results, where the Department notched a record 77,5%
pass rate, the Senior Management of the Department met during the weekend to
chart the way forward for another successful year. Their message is that
teaching and learning must commence on the first day when learners return.
It is anticipated that approximately 40 000 new learners will
join the departments 2,7million learners when schools reopen. The admission
policy is that a learner must turn six years of age on or before 30 June 2004 to
qualify for enrolment. Principals are warned not to refuse admission to any
child on the basis that the learner cannot afford to pay school fees.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Department is the large number of
educator absenteeism, which the department intends tackling head on this year.
In another major development the Department has allocated over R1million towards
bursaries for teacher development, which will impact on the quality of education
for our learners.
Mandla Msibi
Director: Communication and Public Relations
Tel.: (035) 874 342
Cell: 083 461 6253
Fax: (035) 874 3640
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