Eastern Cape Department of Education’s Butterworth District claims victory, for being number one in the country for their School Nutrition Program.  A memorable celebration was held at the Butterworth District office on the 24^th May 2017, for their outstanding achievement.

Butterwoth District and Ithembelihle Primary of King Williams Town District were nominated as finalists as the best performing District and School in the implementation of NSNP in the Eastern Cape Province.  The district and school were sent to compete nationally with Districts and Schools from other Provinces.

The provincial NSNP Coordinator together with Butterworth Officials were invited to attend the National Award Ceremony for finalists, in the Western Cape, were Butterworth was awarded the best district in South Africa and Ithembelihle Primary School as one of the national finalists by the Department of Basic Education.

NosisaSwendu, National School Nutrition Program Director, graced the occasion saying, “Here we are assembled to celebrate excellence, here we are assembled to celebrate success and we are here because of that outstanding display of excellence in monitoring and support at our schools.

1.7 millionLearners rely on the School Nutrition Program daily andBabiniMzimane, Assistant Director for Planning and Monitoring, goes the extra mile to make sure that the SNP coordinators monitor and support schools, so that learners get a well balanced meal every day.   Mzimane strives in three areas, one, the actual feeding scheme, where learners get a meal daily, two, to get the school to be self sustained through the planting of gardens, and three, Educate on nutrition.

From 1994 the SNP has been running, but back then bread, peanut butter and juice was served.  BabalwaMatolengwe the SNP coordinator for East London District says, “We have come a long way since then and now we serve a fully balanced nutritional meal tour learners, of which most are dependent on.

With pride and excitement, Butterworth District received a brand new bakkie for their Program, R80 000 from one of the Department of Basic Educations partners Tiger Brand Foundation and R120 000 from the Provincial Department of Education, together with certificates and trophies.

Butterworth District Director, Mxotwa proudly said, “A support system is very critical, and in this district we have a very good one, Halala Butterworth Halala.

Well done SNP, keep up the outstanding work.

The admission period has started and is underway; Parents and teachers are urged to familiarize themselves with the processes to follow so as to not miss out on the deadlines in order to make the placement process easier and on time.

Admission To Public Schools

In terms of Section 5 of the South African Schools Act (SASA), a public school must admit learners and serve their educational requirements without unfairly discriminating in any way.

Admission of learners

The Head of Department (HOD) is responsible to admit learners to all public schools. The HOD may delegate the responsibility to admit learners to a departmental official.

Unfair Discrimination

No learner may be refused admission to a public school on the grounds that his or her parent is unable to pay fees.

Testing Of Learners

Any test relating to the admission of a learner to a public school may not be administered.

Admission Age Of Learners

SASA Section 5(4)(a) determines the admission age of a learner to a public school as

(i) Grade R is age four years turning five years by 30 June in the year of admission,
(ii) Grade 1 is age five years turning six years by 30 June in the year of admission.

Admission Documents Required:

• Application form for admission
• Compulsory documents for admission
• Certified copy of the Identity document or a certified copy of the birth certificate of the prospective learner
• Proof of Immunisation
• School Report
• School transfer letter

Parental Responsibility

A parent must ensure that a child is admitted and attends school from the first school day of the year until the last school day of the academic year.

What to do if you are told a public school is full:

• Ask the principal if the school had been officially declared full by the Education Department.
• Ask to see the letter which says the school is full.
• If there is no letter then the school must accept the child.
• If the school refuses permission then contact the district office.
• If the school does have a letter then the department must find a place for the child in the nearest school to where he or she lives.

Join discussion with Superintendent General between 14:00 – 15:00 on Friday, 26 May 2017 on the challenges of LEARNER ADMISSION at Public Schools in the Province of the Eastern Cape.  You are invited to make comments on the above-mentioned Topic (Challenges of Learner Admission).  He will be available on the following forums:

1. SG’s Corner Blog:  https://blog.ecdoe.co.za
2. ECDoE Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ecdoe
3. ECDoE Twitter Account:  https://twitter.com/ECDOEZA

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

             Province of the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa

I would like to take this opportunity to wish and appreciate all the Mothers in the Department of Education a wonderful, blessed and warm Mother’s Day on Sunday.

To all the Mothers who are our Educators in all our schools in the Province, I want to say Thank You for an extra time you have taken to love our learners, to care for them, to Mother them as if they were your own.

For all the efforts you have taken in giving unconditional love and care to our learners, these efforts cannot be written anywhere or be publicized for everyone to see and read about but are evident and visible in a good manner that our learners are shaped in. You have instilled good qualities and sound education that any child needs for him/her to grow into a fully fledge, developed and well capacitated human being.

To all the Mothers that serve in our offices be it in Head Office, Districts and Circuit Offices, Thank You to all of you. Your continuous support in ensuring that all the Departmental priorities are done on time through your constant caring and your warmth approach in dealing with the business matters to ensure that the environment is conducive for everyone to work. As Mothers, I also know that you constantly pray for the success and protection for all of us in this department, and for that I want to thank you.

May this Mother’s Day bring joy, peace to yourselves and may your families celebrate and appreciate you for all that you to them.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
A MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGE FROM THE S.G.
EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION