Category Archives: Eastern Cape news

News from the Easter Cape – Eastern Cape news

Mqanduli witnesses launch of march and drill Programme

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On the 17 August 2017 the learners, communities and relevant stakeholders braved the cold and rainy weather at Seaview High School in Mqanduli, to witness the launch of the march and drill programme. Seaview High School is one of the six schools identified by the OR Tambo Inland Education District as the “hot spot schools”. This means that there is a very low pass rate for matriculants, a high rate of drug and alcohol abuse and violence amongst the learners.

Jackie Mqwashele, Principal was so excited that the school was chosen for this programme. He indeed agreed that the school needs help and pleaded with the parents to help teachers bring about change in their children’s lives. “We are so excited about the programme, and we promise that we will work with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) and we commit ourselves. Parents should understand that this will need practice and commitment without, their full support we will never succeed” explained Mqwashele. Mqwashele said, “We are the only High School in this area, which means there are a lot of learners attending at this School and not enough teachers and classrooms for the learners.”  Hepleaded with the Department to help them build classrooms for the learners.

Captain Anele Gregory Ntsinde from SANDF- 14 South African Infantry Battalion, Mthatha said that they are aware of the chaos at schools regarding lack of discipline amongstlearners.  According to Ntsinde, they are there to give support to the educators and are willing to help instill the discipline back into the classroom.  “Part of our social responsibility is to help communities around us, especially those that are affected by crime. Our department is interested in helping make theselearners responsible adults one day. This programme will help learners become role models to their peers. They will learn a lot from those who will take part in the March and Drill programme. They learn to work and help each other as they are a team. It will also open doors for them in the future”

King Sabata Dalindyebo Metro Municipality Portfolio Head of Infrastructure, Nombulelo Sibeko, said that the Office of the Executive Mayor is very happy that one of their schools were chosen for such a programme. She also said that they fully support the initiative. She also added that the Office of the Speaker in their Municipality is running a programme called “The Moral Regeneration” which will work well with what the Department has put forth. “These two programmes will work very well together as both their aim is to help our learners become better pupils and excellent leaders of tomorrow. They will help build confidence and teach them love and to help those around them” “We are committed and we will assist where necessary, and we are in full support of the programme,” conclude Sibeko.

“It also aims to involve learners from all communities especially those who are affected by youth crime, drug abuse and gangsterism.  A sense of pride and discipline is instilled into them during their time spent in the programme,” said Mphathisi Songca, School Safety Co-ordinator from ECDoE Head Office. “The March and Drill programme is a perfect platform for recruiting future members for the Military Skills Development programme of SANDF, and SAPS. What they learn from the programme will help them become the best that they can be,” concluded Songca.<

Girls participate in Rugby Festival

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700 grade R to grade 3 young girls from 25 Junior Primary Schools in Mdantsane braved the cold weather to participate in the girls rugby festival that took place at NU1 stadium on 16 August 2017.

The girls showed commendable sportsmanship as they battled it out in the field of play demonstrating their skills and flair for rugby; tackling, attacking and defending with so much enthusiasm, gusto and heart.

This festival is an initiative by the Mzuvukile Sports Development in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE), Buffallo City Municipality and SA Rugby. It is an extension of a worldwide project called “Get into Rugby”.  The project started in 2015 with 18 schools and the number has since increased to 25 schools currently participating.

Mzuvukile Tempi who is the Executive Director of Mzuvukile Sports Development commented that, one of their objectives and core function as an organization is to identify and nurture talent but it does not only end there as they aim to develop a child holistically, focusing on character and discipline as well. “Sport forms and molds the character of a person, it also shapes the choices one makes in life and instils discipline hence we start these programmes at the foundation phase” said Tempi.

Mpho Ngoma from ECDOE who is also the Provincial Sport Coordinator had this to say, “We are getting these learners to participate in rugby at a young age for development of rugby skills, also promoting mass participation in sport by all schools from grade R to grade 12”. He further commented that these programmes help in keeping the girl child in school “there is improvement in terms of attendance because of these programmes.

 Premier Pumulo Masualle who was also in attendance to commemorate women’s month, pledged the support of his office for such initiatives that focus on the development of young girls. He is also of the view that learners should be developed at a young age so that they can be champions of tomorrow.

Parents also came out in numbers to support their children. One parent, Mr. Gola who is a resident of Mdantsane commended the Mzuvukile Sports Development and the Department of Education for bringing back sport in Townships. “Sport had faded in townships and our children had nothing to do but engage in drugs and alcohol”. When asked why he braved the weather to be at the stadium, he said, “I am here to encourage learners to participate in sport and stay away from drugs”.

 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” ~ the book of proverbs.

ECDoE responds to article appeared in the Daily Dispatch

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ECDoE responds to article appeared in the Daily Dispatch

A review of the Department’s In Year Monitoring report for March 2017 indicates that we spent R3.7Billion out of our total budget allocation of R30.9billion; that works out to just over 10%. The commitments were for:

1. R1.9billion for normal salaries referred to as Cost of Employees (CoE). This is the average monthly expenditure to cover all salaries of Departmental employees.

2. R678million went towards payments of learner and teacher support materials (stationery, textbooks, computers, etc). These are delivered in November and December, with final top-ups in January and February.

3. R103million went towards payments for school furniture delivered to schools at the beginning of the year.
It’s reasonable therefore that these financial obligation for services rendered at the end of the year and during the first 2 months are settled in March. There is definitely no fiscal dumping here as these payments were done with the approval of provincial Treasury when the Department requested permission to do an additional LTSM Corrective Order in order to overhaul availability of learning materials in all our schools.

The December expenditure spiked because it covered payments for 2 months (Nov & Dec) for Infrastrure Delivery, the total payment for the 2 months was R306million.  

Calendar of Events – August 2017

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Address:Steve Vukile Tshwete Education Complex, Zone 6, Zwelitsha,

             Province of the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa

Sanitary Towels distributed to learners at Humansdorp

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On the 2nd of August 2017, a sanitary dignity programme was held at Humansdorp Country Club,pupils from Vulumzi High School, Khanyisa Special Schools and Lungiso High School to name a few, where invited. This initiative was led by the Office of the Premier, with the support of the sister Departments of Education and Social Development.

Mrs. P Msikinya- Malebogo from the Office of the Premier said, “the purpose of the day was to give sanitary towels to a girl child, as they are needed by a lot of them.  Most kids can’t afford them and they are needed monthly. The Government felt the need to help,” added Malebogo. She also stated that both girls and boys where invited on purpose to this programme as they want the boy child to be in support of the girl child. She continued to explain that a girl child should be given as much support as possible by the parents, teachers and their peers.

Mr. Thanduxolo Buda from Sakha Amadoda Project who did a presentation on the day, said that their aim was to get absent fathers to be involved in their children’s lives and give support to all those that are present but not working. He said, that it was very important to teach a boy child responsibility at a very young age, so that they grow up knowing what to do as a man. He also stated that he was very proud of what the Government is doing, giving away these sanitary towels, as they are really needed by kids especially in disadvantaged areas. He concluded by saying,“they will always be in support of the boy child as they will grow up to be pillars of their communities.”

Mr. Selwyn Bruiners, Deputy Director for Special Programmes Directorate from ECDoE, said “there are so many challenges faced by societies, such as human trafficking, substance abuse, rape and teenage pregnancies to name a few, that children should be taught at a very young age values and responsibility,all these things should be taught both at schools and at home.” In conclusion Bruinersalso explained to the pupils that values will determine their destiny and the decisions they make in life. He added that,“Just because you from a poor background, it does not give you the right to be disrespectful, things need to change now and its starts with all of us.”

Career Expo Brings Change To Willowvale Students

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The Eastern Cape Department of Education recently held a Career Exhibition at Willowvale Stadium as part of motivating and encouraging learners on career pathing.

The two day careers expo saw learners from 16 local secondary schools within the Willowvale fully attended by industry specialists who advised and equipped them with information on their career pathing. According the study conducted by the Education department, ‘the lack of information to learners as to which subjects to choose when they start grade 10 is the result on why the fail subject, and it also has a direct effect on the career path to follow’.

Primarily, the focus of this career exhibition was to bring accessible resources to learners and get more information. Amongst the attending learners was the 15 year old boy, Eyona Totofrom Nqabarha senior secondary school. This grade 10 learner appreciated the initiative by the department to bring close opportunity of this nature even to rural learners.

“I am please by this effort of the department to help us to choose our careers wisely. Life Orientation is not in depth in teaching us about these things, being here is more practical than the theory we are thought at school”, said Toto.

While Xolisizwe senior secondary school Life Orientation educator, Mbeleki Nangamso welcomed this career exhibition and hopes it will inspire attending learners. “I’m sure this will have a positive impact on their studies and help them choose subjects that are in line with the choice of career pathing. Events like this give learners courage to go back to their schools and study harder so they can pass with high marks”, added Mbeleki.

While this event had exhibitors from various organizations like the South African Defence Force (SANDF), Fort Hare University, SETAs including the ETDP-SETA.  ETDP-SETA Skills Advisor, Sandiswa Pantshwa explained that their programs on offer include bursaries and learnerships that are beneficial to the learners. “Learners get bursaries for their performance academically that are available in their districts. These are available for those who apply at the beginning of the year when they are accepted at the universities”, said Pantshwa.

Cluster Chief Co-ordinator, Thembani Mtyhida who represented the MEC Mandla Makupula in this event encouraged all attending learners to utilize this opportunity for their development. “One of the main purpose of choosing this area for a career expo, is that villages hardly get an opportunity to have events like these as they are normally held in urban arears. Career choice plays a big role in our schools, learners will benefit a lot here and the department will continue to do this,” concluded Mtyhida.

Career Expo brings change to Willowvale learners

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The Eastern Cape Department of Education recently held a Career Exhibition at Willowvale Stadium as part of motivating and encouraging learners on career pathing.

The two day career expo saw learners from 16 local secondary schools within the Willowvale area, fully attended by industry specialists who advised and equipped them with information on their career pathing. According to the study conducted by the Education department, ‘the lack of information to learners, as to which subjects to choose when they start grade 10 is the result on why they fail subjects, and it also has a direct effect on the career their path to follow’.

Primarily, the focus of this career exhibition was to bring accessible resources to learners and get more information. Amongst the attending learners was a 15 year old boy, Eyona Toto from Nqabarha Senior Secondary school. This grade 10 learner appreciated the initiative by the department to bring opportunity closer of this nature, even to rural learners.

“I am pleased by the effort of the department to help us to choose our careers wisely. Life Orientation is not in depth in teaching us about these things, being here is more practical than the theory we are thought at school”, said Toto.

While Xolisizwe Senior Secondary school Life Orientation educator, Mbeleki Nangamso welcomed this career exhibition and hopes it will inspire attending learners. “I’m sure this will have a positive impact on their studies and help them choose subjects that are in line with the choice of career pathing. Events like this give learners courage to go back to their schools and study harder so they can pass with high marks”, added Mbeleki.

While this event had exhibitors from various organizations like the South African Defence Force (SANDF), Fort Hare University, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) including the Education, Training and Development Practices (ETDP-SETA).  ETDP-SETA Skills Advisor, Sandiswa Pantshwa explained that their programs on offer include bursaries and learnerships that are beneficial to the learners. “Learners get bursaries for their performance academically that are available in their districts. These are available for those who apply at the beginning of the year when they are accepted at the universities”, said Pantshwa.

Cluster Chief Co-ordinator, Thembani Mtyida who represented the MEC Mandla Makupula in this event encouraged all attending learners to utilize this opportunity for their development. “One of the main purposes of choosing this area for a career expo, is that villages hardly get an opportunity to have events like these as they are normally held in urban arears. Career choice plays a big role in our schools, learners will benefit a lot here and the department will continue to do this,” concluded Mtyida.

EC Education hosts a Careers Expo for future Leaders

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Willowvale was a buss last week as the Eastern Cape Department of Education held a two day Careers Expo at the Willowvale Sports Ground, 30 kilometers from Idutywa.

This career’s Expo forms part of a series of Career exhibitions across the province and rural Willowvale also benefited on this drive.  The Career’s Expo organizer, who is also the department’s Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Mzwandile Mampunye thanked the attending schools for their co-operation.

“The honourable Mandla Makupula saw it fit that learners, of Willowvale just like any other learners from the province, must also benefit in initiatives of this nature. These learners should get as much information as they can to boost their knowledge about their career choices when they exit high school”, said Mampunye.

According to Mampunye, the department has invited sister departments, private sectors, Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to come and exhibit at this careers expo. “We have the Department of Health, Nelson Mandela University, Old Mutual just to name a few amongst other institutions that have been invited and have honoured these invitations. These institutions are here to advise on what these learners can do to further their studies”, continued Mampunye. 

When asked, if the department only concentrates on certain learners, Mampunye said ‘the department together with the Office of the Premier, will travel across the province to try and give as much information as possible to these leaders of tomorrow.  In addition, the department has also invited out of school youth, especially those who have completed their Grade 12’.

Xolilizwe Senior Secondary School educator, Momeleli Mbombo was also present at the expo said, “This is a lifetime chance for the learners as they will be exposed to various opportunities that are out there”.

He also added that the department needs to do more of these for the teachers and learners of the province. “Many learners do not know what they want to do when they finish studying grade 12, but as teachers we encourage them to study and follow their dreams, but we cannot do it alone. On top of what the department is doing for these learners, teachers also need incentives as they are more than just teachers to their learners. In most cases teachers find themselves in positions of being counsellors to their learners as these children (learners) are faced with so many challenges outside school.  Maybe the Department can include the sister departments more on the daily lives of the learners.  These will help teachers to help the learners” said Mbombo.

As an exhibitor at the Expo. Mlungiseleli Ncapayi, ECDoE Human Resource Funza Lushaka Coordinator, highlighted a few things that the department has been doing in order to help bring the resources to the community of the Eastern Cape. “These roadshows help bring information to the communities about the Funza Lushaka Bursary opportunities” 
He also added that these sessions entail providing prospective students with more information about the scheme. “The roadshows were encouraging learners to opt for teaching careers, while that is the case also bridge the gap of teacher shortages in the province. Additionally, this will at the same time, by skilling these learners the department is trying to address the poverty gap”, said Ncapayi

Attending this expo was Bhadi Senior Secondary school learner, Fefekazi Nxosani. The 20-year-old, Grade 12 learner came to expose herself on the available information at the expo. “I want to study and become a lawyer one day, that’s why I am here to get as much information as I can on how to apply at the university, how to get a bursary to further my studies as I cannot afford Varsity with both my parents not working,” said Nxosani. 

Nxosani also added that this was a great opportunity for her and her peers. “ With my acquired information here, I now have knowledge about each career path I am interested in, and what skill it will equip me with, hence this expo is the first step towards achieving my dreams”, concluded Nxosani.

MEC Mandla Makupula brings Careers Expo to Willowvale

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MEC Mandla Makupula brings Careers Expo to Willowvale

An attempt to progressively synergise learning from high school towards higher education amongst learners through making informed career choices has prompted the Eastern Cape Education department, MEC, Mandla Makupula to champion a high level careers expo at the Willowvale Sports Ground, outside Dutywa from the 27th – 28th July 2017 (10:00 am).

Industry specialists coming from government departments, parastatals and the private sector companies will be exhibiting during the two day careers expo. They will also share career information that will help the attending learners make informed career choices.

Details of the event are as follows:

•Date: 27- 28 July 2017
•Venue: Willowvale Sports Ground
•Starting time: 10:00 am (Both days)

Local and out of school youth are urged to come and join this life changing experience offered by the EasternCape Education department.

Enquiries: Mali Mtima @ 083 795 2117/ Loyiso Pulumani @ 083 275 0675

Eastern Cape Comes Second Place In SASCE 2017

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Eastern Cape Comes Second Place In SASCE 2017

The Eastern Cape almost dominated the ABC Motsepe National South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) held in Randburg Gauteng on 4-7 July 2017 under the Theme, Celebrating the Centenary of OR Tambo through Music.

True to its heritage, the Eastern Cape hauled in 23 trophies, second only to KwaZulu-Natal which won three more trophies. Still the Eastern Cape came tops beating all provinces with the best female Soloist in Akhona Matshoba of Vuli Valley in a rendition in Mezzo-Soprano Alto Solo of the song Sthandwa Sam by T Tyamzashe, winning by a massive 88.50 points.

The following schools achieved 1st position in the various categories:

School

District

Conductor

Category

Position

 

Nolitha Special School

Alfred Nzo West (Mt Frere)

Ms Gwadiso

Own Choice Special Schools

1

Mayekiso

Amathole East (Butterworth)

Mr Malindi

Farm Schools

1

Usenathi

Chris Hani West (Queenstown)

Mr A Mgidi

Mixed Choirs Western

1

Imbasa

Nelson Mandela Metro (Port Elizabeth)

Ms Vara

Mixed Choirs Afrikaans

1

Imbasa

Nelson Mandela Metro (Port Elizabeth)

Ms Vara

AU Anthem

1

Mandela

OR Tambo Inland (Mthatha)

Mr M Pama

Enoch Sontonga Song

1

Rocklands

Nelson Mandela Metro

Ms Veli

Sextet, Farm Schools

1

Rocklands

Nelson Mandela Metro (Port Elizabeth)

Ms Veli

SATB Chamber Choir, Farms schools

1

Nolitha

Alfred Nzo West (Mt Frere)

Ms Gwadiso

Own Choice Category, Special Schools

1

Vuli Valley

Amathole East (Butterworth)

Akhona Matshoba (Soloist)

Mezzo Soprano/ Alto Solo

1

 

The following schools came 2nd in various categories:

 

School

District

Conductor

Category

Position

Usenathi

Chris Hani West (Queenstown)

Mr A Mgidi

Recital of the Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic

2

Mandela

OR Tambo Inland (Mthatha)

Mr M Pama

Mixed Choir, African

2

Mali

OR Tambo Coastal (Lusikisiki)

Folklore

2

Sterkspruit

Joe Gqabi

Ms/r Kwinana

Mixed Choirs, Afrikaans

2

Zimele

OR Tambo Inland (Mthatha)

Mr Mjali

Female Voice

2

St Teresa

Joe Gqabi (Sterkspruit)

Ms T Dlepu

Mixed Choirs, African

2

Nzimankulu

Chris Hani West (Lady Frere)

Mr L Nyukwana

Folklore, Any Voice Combination, Izitibili

2

 

The following choirs came 3rd in their various categories:

 

School

District

Conductor

Category

Position

Sterkspruit

Joe Gqabi

Kwinana

AU Anthem

3

Zimele

OR Tambo Inland (Mthatha)

Mr Mjali

Mixed voices, Afrikaans

3

Nombulelo

Sarah Baartman (Grahamstown)

Mr Luvo Booi

Baritone/ Bass Solo

3

Cofimvaba

Chris Hani East(Cofimvaba)

Anelisa Nkqwiliso & Nomacebo Fetile

Duet, Laudiamus te RV589 by A Vivaldi

3

St Teresa

Joe Gqabi (Sterkspruit)

Ms T Dlepu

Recital of the Constitution of the Republic

3

St Teresa

Joe Gqabi (Sterkspruit)

Ms T Dlepu

SATB, Enoch Sontonga Song

3

The Department wishes to congratulate all choir conductors and choristers who represented the Eastern Cape Province in SASCE 2017. We wish you all the best for the future. The Department continues to work closely with all stakeholders in the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) to promote music, culture and heritage in all schools.