About 101 selected participants from Chris Hani West and Joe Gqabi districts took part in a financial training held at JJ Serfontein School in Queenstown on 13 – 14 September 2017.

The training simultaneously took place in Buffalo City Metro Municipality and will continue in Nelson Mandela Bay District on 15 September 2017.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) section together with sister Department of Public Works saw it fit that the selected few of the following participants, school safety patrollers, support staff, School gardeners and hostel cleaners be taught how to best administer their finances as most of them find themselves not able to.

Simon Mohapi, facilitator from Mohapi Group based in Johannesburg in his opening address explained to the participants the role of the Financial Services Board (FBS) and how best it can work for them. “The FBS is an independent institution established by statute to oversee the South African Non-Banking Financial Services Industry in the public interest” he further said that “its mission and vison are to provide and maintain a sound financial investment in South Africa”

Hefurther said that “the FSB is there to ensure that departmental officials are treated fairly by the financial services providers they deal with and that they enjoy a safe investment environment. The FSB oversees the non-banking financial services industry, which includes retirement funds, short term, long term insurance, companies, funeral insurance, schemes and financial advisors & brokers”.

The training mainly focused on the following:

• Managing Your Finances
• Savings
• Credit Records & Credit Bureau
• Planning for the future and Emergencies
• Useful Contacts

• “It is very important that each one of us focuses on our financial status so that we don’t find ourselves in financial woes at a later stage in life. It’s time for us to be in charge and be control, it’s never too late,” concluded Mohapi.

  Andisiwe Menzelwa from Joe Gqabi said, “I’m glad I came here today. I learned a lot and will take into consideration everything I’ve learned and change my life for the better.”

Allocation of Final Post Distribution by Mr Themba Kojana ECDoE SG

As most of you are aware, the Department of Education is compelled by law to declare the teacher post establishment for the following year on or before 30 September. This is an annual exercise that requires that:

“The Member of the Executive Council responsible for Education in the province must determine the educator post establishment of the provincial department of education in terms of section 5(1) (B) of the ACT, 1998 (Act No. 76 of 1998) in accordance with any applicable policy made in terms of the National Education Policy Act of 1996.”

Consultations

The legislation further commands, that, the formal act of declaration must be preceded by a consultation process with teacher unions and School Governing Body (SGB) associations that exist in the province.

This year, as in previous years, we have sought to manage this process through a management plan that guided all our actions and processes ahead of declaration. These included formal information sharing sessions with parties represented in the chamber and SGB Associations. The process of consultation began on the 28 June 2017, followed by the second round held on the 24 August 2017.The last session was on the 28 August 2017 when a formal declaration was made by the MEC.

Facilitation

The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) played a critical role, in between the two MEC consultations, in the facilitation process with all the parties including the school governing body associations. Guiding principles were agreed upon that sought to resolve and put processes on areas that strengthened outcomes towards reaching stability in the supply and demand on human resource provisioning.

Background

Education in the Eastern Cape, whilst it is still saddled with many challenges, it is also a fact that we have turned the corner. Indeed, there are many clear signals that attest to this:

• Labour relations, which were previously characterised by confrontation and mistrust, have improved markedly. There is more willingness to engage constructively on areas of disagreement.
• The agreements reached with teacher unions that resulted in Collective Agreement 1 of 2014, was a major milestone for the Department as it paved the way for movement of teachers who were additional to the establishment to where their services were required for operational reasons.
• Rationalisation of small and unviable school is well and truly underway. There is now growing acceptance that the best way to improve the capacity of schools to deliver quality basic education is through optimised pooling of resources in schools with adequate learner numbers.

• Declaration

  It is evident that, in the circumstances, the Department is increasingly able to project required posts with more certainty because of increased verification of learner identifications. The same post provisioning norms and distribution model applies across all Provinces, and the Eastern Cape is also now undertaking the process seamlessly based on realistic verified figures. Whatever number is declared it must be accompanied by qualitative interventions and collective effort by all parties to ensure the success of this province. The Department’s preference is a post basket that provides for a balance between core curriculum imperatives and affordability.

  Having weighed all the critical factors explored above, I have reached the conclusion to declare 54 026 as the 2018 Educator Post Establishment, with 6 377 for non-teaching support staff for public school.

  Final Distribution of Posts by Superintendent General

  Subsequent to the Declaration by acting MEC numerous consultations have been held that have resulted in the final distribution of posts being agreed upon on the 12 September 2017:

• An increase in posts from 53 538 to 54026 = 488 more posts
• No schools will have over 1:36 Teacher:Learner ratio
• 1 995 posts for Foundation Phase Support including Grade R
• Secondary schools and 1 teacher schools have a special consideration in the declaration
• No school loses a post unless there is a decrease of more than 40 learners from November 2016. In the event of a decrease, the teacher will move to where his services are needed most.
• 96% of schools gain or remain the same

• Schools will be receiving new staff establishment as of the 20 September 2017. It is imperative that schools interact with them as it will affect their planning for 2018.

  Issued by:  Communications Section – Education Department, Eastern Cape
  Inquiries:    Loyiso Pulumani 083 275 0675 / Malibongwe Mtima 084 230 1976

MEC, Mandla Makupula witnessed his vision coming to life as he hosted 300 Mathew Goniwe Provincial Scholarship Beneficiaries in East London on the 1^st – 2^nd of September 2017 during the launch of the Matthew Goniwe Bursary.

This Bursary is in Honor of one of the Cradock Four revolutionaries, Matthew Goniwe who had a passion for knowledge and was also a Maths and Science teacher. In his address the MEC gave a brief background about the man, Matthew who was a game changer during his time and a patriot who wouldn’t let the circumstances of that era deter him from the vision to liberate the nation. He spoke of Matthew as a man who had the ability to inspire in the way he lived his life and conducted himself. “There are man and women who, whilst caring out their normal daily life and conduct tend to inspire others and Matthew Goniwe belonged in that category of people”, said Makupula.

The shortage of Maths and Science teachers has been a cry in the Eastern Cape Province for some time and many have been calling for something to done. This Bursary then, seeks to respond to that call, as it will mostly fund those doing teaching majoring in these critical subjects. Fundamental to this is that, on completion of their studies or the four-year degree, the Bursars are required to give back fours years of their time teaching in areas where there is a dire need around the Eastern Cape. To ease the financial burden on these students, the bursary will cover tuition fees, residence and meals and study material costs. Important to note is, students will be required to finish their degree in record time and failure is not an option. The MEC made it clear that should one fail a year; to repeat that year they will have to make means for themselves.

During the 2-day event, the students got an opportunity to interact with the man who has made it possible for them to further their studies and look forward to a better future. They got a rare opportunity to ask him questions and sure left no stone unturned as the MEC humored them and responded to every question. In her Speech Zinzile Sineke, a 23-year-old teacher who came to give words of motivation to these future teachers had this to say, “Teaching is a noble and delicate profession and we are given a wonderful job to work with the mind of a child and mold the character of a child”. She went on to speak on the qualities that a teacher must possess; patience, love and passion for the job. She said “There will be days you can’t take it anymore but remember why you chose your profession”. As she pleaded with the conscience of the students, she reminded them that teaching is a profession that shapes and influences the lives of many. “Do not teach only how to count, but also what counts”, concluded Sineke.

In a dialogue hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Education in partnership with the Daily Dispatch, the MEC provided a platform for the public to give opinion and have a discourse. This saw members of the public giving fruitful inputs and some commending and supporting this initiative, also bringing to the fore education issues that need to be attended to.

The main event that took place on day two saw many high profile personalities honoring the launch, giving their support to what is to be a life changing initiative in the lives of many and future generations.

In the words of Nelson Mandela “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD”. As the ECDoE this is but one of the ways in which we play our part in empowering and educating an African child.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) hosted its annual Provincial Mental Mathematics Quiz for Grades 6 and 7 District champions in Stutterheim on 04 September 2017.

The programme started in 2011, with Nomonde Dabula in the forefront as the brain child of the programme. Initially, it was only targeted for Grade 6 learners and it has since grown to grade 7 as well. It seems like the intention to escalate the programme to higher grades is there as Ms Mdladlamba, Subject Advisor for Maths Intermediate and Senior Phase in Sterkspruit said, “Hopefully we gonna make it up to grade 9.” To encourage participation by more learners, teachers have made a concerted effort to rope in parents particularly in supporting their children at these competitions. Teachers also go the extra mile by proving extra tutoring lessons for all learners even over the weekends.

Invited as the guest speaker, David Sekao from Department of Basic Education(DBE), who is responsible for Mathematics in the general education and training band, was particularlyinterestedin this quiz because “it provides learners with the requisite skills for them to be able to do Mathematics well in the Higher Grades”. He also highlighted the benefits of this programme saying, “Our Curriculum Policy is very strong on Mental Calculations and the development of number sense.  It equips learners with those skills that they will require general proficiency and number sense is a platform for learners to understand abstract mathematics as they move on with their studies at higher levels.” 

It was a nail biting and tough competition for Grade 6 learners, as three sessions were conducted to determine who will occupy the third spot, ultimately Mthatha came out victorious.

Each learner received a medal, certificate and a maths booklet sponsored by Shooter and Shooter, with their maths teachers each given a maths dictionary which was sponsored by Oxford Publishers for participation. The top three winners from each grade were as follows:

Grade 6

1^st Place:  Max Hawkes from Port Elizabeth

2^nd Place:  Afika Qezo from Mthatha

3^rd Place:  Mangqesha Kwakho from Libode

Grade 7

1^st Place:  Nana Abebresheh from Grahamstown

2^nd Place: Jessica Harty from Grahamstown

3^rd Place:  Vian Schoombie from Uitenhage

First place winners received tablets and covers which was sponsored by Manderson Hotel.  Second place winners received a tablet which was sponsored by Coega, and third place winners received scientific calculators, a maths set and pencil crayons.

04 September 2017. Vodacom and the Eastern Cape Department of Education have taken the digitalisation of education in the province a step further through the launch of the ‘Virtual Teacher’ platform in East London on 04 September 2017.

The move follows Vodacom’s Programme for Mobile Devices introduced in the province earlier this year, to promote the use of digital technology in Eastern Cape schools. 

Virtual Teacher is a new interactive technology platform which allows an individual teacher or lecturer to deliver lessons in real-time to multiple remote classrooms or locations simultaneously. Through a range of smart devices, learners can join classes from anywhere and at any time. For the first time in South Africa, the technology can be accessed through any personal device.

The platform is supported through portable hardware which delivers high quality visuals and sound. It can also accommodate unlimited viewer numbers. The technology enables live interaction with the remote audience through a texting Question and Answer (Q & A) facility for written responses during the lesson.

Vuyani Jarana, Chief Officer at Vodacom Business, says, “Vodacom is working with the Eastern Cape Department of Education to address some of the challenges facing our education system, particularly in rural and underperforming schools. This is all about bringing innovative technology to those who need it most in order to improve learning outcomes for all education segments in our country. The future of the South African education system is digital and we must embrace the opportunities this offers to leapfrog infrastructural backlogs and legacy issues in our schools.”

In order to improve the matric pass rate in the province, the Eastern Cape Department of Education will use the Virtual Teacher platform to provide extra classes to students at selected districts in the province. Lessons will be delivered remotely by some of the country’s best teachers, with an emphasis on Mathematics, Science and Accounting. Students from various locations will be transported to teaching sites in the Eastern Cape, including Mdantsane, Maluti, Lusikisiki and Mt Frere. 
 
The Eastern Cape Department of Education’s Superintendent General, Themba Kojana says, “The Department is promoting interactive virtual teaching and learning in the province, particularly in rural communities. Technology such as the Virtual Teacher platform allows teachers to interact with remote learners to increase their understanding of school subject material, with a goal to improve learning outcomes in the province.” 

The Virtual Teacher platform encompasses a camera, microphone and streaming unit which can be streamed from any device. Lessons can be pre-recorded if needed and recorded content can also be downloaded to any device. The platform is easy to use and can be linked to a school website.  Content can also be zero rated by Vodacom if required.