SEDIKWA KE NTJWA PEDI GA SE THATA –

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS

February 19, 2014

Presentation at 8th Kagiso Trust Education Conversations

University of JHB

Boitumelo Moreeng

2013 MATRIC RESULTS – A CELEBRATION ? From 62.6% in 2008, dipping to 60.6% in 2009 only to rise to

67.8% in 2010, 70.2% in 2011 and 73.9% in 2012, 78,2%” said the president.

Matric results misleading – Jansen (eNCA)

2013 matric results: a round of applause certainly, but the system’s still broke – Daily Maverick

Absolute disgrace you can pass matric with 30% – Jansen (City Press)

RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS

• What was done? • What do we keep? • What/how do we change?

PEOPLE CENTRED SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

On top of that the FSDoE named the school, for the tenth consecutive year, the best high school in the province in the subjects Maths and Science. The Eunice matric class of 2013 had a total of 185 learners of which 177 had university exemption. The class obtained a total of 425 distinctions of which 26 learners had five or more distinctions.Paul Cassar: The recipe is neither rocket science nor a secret. Our success is all about the high expectations of all our girls. There’s a sense from day one that Eunice expects nothing but your best. That hope, energy and enthusiasm are hallmarks of the Eunice experience. Our teachers are expert, long-serving, dedicated professionals. Our girls are taught to think, to question and to buy into that spirit of excellence.

INNOVATION / FLEXIBILITY• THE level of education is being taken to new heights.• This is due to the new way of communication that the Free State Education

Department introduced 2 years ago at all 64 schools around the province.• Together with Vodacom and the University of the Free State, the department

has embarked on a technological journey that will ensure that not only this year’s final matric results, but also in years to come, will improve rapidly through good quality teaching.

• The Internet Broadcast Project is a two-way communication method via internet that was introduced in schools.A three-hour daily broadcast is done by teachers who excel in particular subjects to help the learners to understand the subjects and to help them be prepared for their final examinations. (EXPRESS NEWSPAPER)

SACRIFICE

• THE FSDoE has taken Grade 12 pupils to study camps in a bold move aimed at achieving top targets in the matric examinations. Project facilitator Professor Jacob Selesho said the aim of the camp was to achieve the department's target of an 80% pass rate

• More than 600 pupils from schools in Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, Ladybrand, Weppener and Excelsior have been taken to a camp in Thaba Nchu.

• The programme began last Monday and will last until the end of the examinations.

• Last week pupils were taught accountancy and this week another batch of pupils struggling with mathematics would be helped.

(Sowetan)

SHARING RESOURCES• Winter School for Grade 12 Learners,• The Winter School is presented by the School of Teacher Education at

Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in partnership with Standard Bank South Africa.

• The following subjects will be offered by lecturers or qualified teachers: Economics, Life Sciences, History, Mathematics, Business Studies, Geography, Accounting, Physical Science, Engineering Graphics and Design.

COMMUNAL / COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

• “At the camp they become our kids- our schools- our teachers- our principals- our parents- our district & finally OUR FREE STATE”.

POLITICAL WILL AND LEADERSHIP

• Free State education MEC Tate Makgoe said: "We are particularly pleased that there were no major disruptions to learning and teaching in our schools this year.

• The department provided pupils with study guides and previous examination papers to help them prepare.

• "Tips for Exams" folders were distributed to 10000 learners during the provincial Grade 12 motivational road show at the beginning of October," Makgoe said.

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS

• Shanduka Foundation and Kagiso Trust…….. improving education in a district in the Free State. This partnership will see both organisations contributing through their respective programmes; the Adopt-a-School Foundation and the Beyers Naude School Development Programme.

• …… combine their resources, knowledge and best-practice whole school development models to make a sustainable and long-term improvement to education.

• ……..R100 million over five years ……The Free State Provincial Government will match this contribution.(Kagiso Trust)

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS

• The UFS Schools Partnership Project and the Extreme Make-over for Schools Project.

• With the Schools Partnership Project, the university is working closely with the 23 schools for a three- to five-year-period to help schools to become top achievers of which the teachers, learners and parents could be proud.

• The university’s involvement in the Extreme Make-over for Schools Project includes amongst others a partnership with the DoBE and the Bloemfontein Business

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS

• Through the UFS School Partnership Project, participating teachers are partnered with mentors in Physical Science, Mathematics, and Accounting visit grade 10,11, and 12 subject teachers every week in the classroom to provide mentorship, coaching, and training.

• The mentor’s time with the teacher is spent reflecting on lessons; planning in accordance with pacesetters, and helping to create a healthy rhythm in the classroom. The mentor will also occasionally present a lesson to the class. - See more at: http://www.educationinnovations.org/program/ufs-school-partnership-project#sthash.rfFRhRIl.dpuf

RESEARCH DRIVEN INTERVENTIONS

• Praxis Towards Sustainable Empowering Learning Environments in South Africa- Mahlomaholo, Nkoane & Francis

• Listening to teachers’ concerns and agreements over reform initiatives would help win their favour for those reforms, said Loyiso Jita, a professor at the University of Free State’s School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education.

• “They’ve got to be convinced that whatever we’re doing is necessary. We must appreciate that if we’re asking them to do certain things they need to be convinced that it is good for children,” he added.(Mail & Guardian)

MEANINGFUL TEACHER TRAINING

• WHO ARE THE TEACHER TRAINERS?

• IF SACE IS FOR TEACHERS WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHER TRAINERS?

• TEACHING IS A PROFESSION.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

•Matthew 26 verse 8 -10 . When the disciples saw this they were indignant, “why this waste?”…..

Aware of this Jesus said to them “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing..”

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO MAKE THE

2014 RESULTS BETTER??