Programme of Action 15 September 2009

Programme of Action

15 September 2009

PRESENTATION TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE: BASIC EDUCATION

TOGETHER DOING MORE AND BETTER

MEDIUM TERM STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

This is a Framework to guide Government’s programme of action in the Electoral Mandate Period (2009 – 2014)

Human Development Programme of Action


• The 4th democratic elections ushered in a new electoral mandate which defines the strategic objectives and targets of government for the period 2009 – 2014.

• This Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF, 2009 – 2014) builds on successes of the fifteen years of democracy. It is a statement of intent identifying the development challenges facing South Africa and outlining the medium-term strategy for improvements in the conditions of life of South Africans and for our enhanced contribution to the cause of building a better world.


• The MTSF base document is meant to guide planning and resource allocation across all the spheres of government. National and provincial departments in particular will need immediately to develop their five-year strategic plans and budget requirements taking into account the medium-term imperatives.

• The MTSF is informed first by the electoral mandate. It also takes into account how global and domestic conditions may change over time.

• In weighing trade-offs and making choices, the document also draws from the lessons identified in the government’s Fifteen Year Review and issues that arose in the Scenario Planning Process (South Africa Scenarios 2025: The future we chose?)


• The new organisational mechanisms, represented by the setting up of a National Planning Commission and corresponding structures, influenced the way the priorities are presented and required the greater level of detail, compared with previous MTSFs.

• Further, based on the MTSF, a corresponding five-year Medium Term

Expenditure Framework (MTEF) – or at least corresponding five-year broad indicative expenditure trends – will be developed.

• The MTSF will be reviewed annually during the mid-year Cabinet makgotla in the light of new developments and experience in actual implementation.

• The yearly reviews will inform both the corresponding three-year rolling MTEF’s and government’s annual Programme of Action.

• In developing targets for 2014, account also has to be taken of the UN Millennium Development Goals, and our responsibility as a country to strive to attain these goals.

• South Africa should, where possible, contribute to the attainment of these goals within Africa and further afield.


Each of the priorities contained in the MTSF should be attended to. The strategic focus of the framework as a whole must be taken into account : this relates in particular to the understanding that economic growth and development, including the creation of decent work on a large scale and investment in quality education and skills-development, are at the centre of the government’s approach.

ELECTORAL MANDATE

• The national government’s mandate underscores the need to create a nation united in diversity, working together to weave the threads that will result in the creation of a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society.

• Indeed, now is the time together to do more, better.

The following objectives are identified:• Halve poverty and unemployment by 2014• Ensure a more equitable distribution of the benefits of economic

growth and reduce inequality• Improve the nation’s health profile and skills base and ensure

universal access to basic services• Improve the safety of citizens by reducing incidents of crime and

corruption• Build a nation free of all forms of racism, sexism, tribalism and

xenophobia.

Priority Areas

The priority areas to give effect to the above strategic objectives are:

• more inclusive economic growth, decent work and sustainable livelihoods

• economic and social infrastructure• rural development, food security and land reform• access to quality education• improved health care• the fight against crime and corruption• cohesive and sustainable communities• creation of a better Africa and a better world• sustainable resource management and use• a developmental state including improvement of public

services.

BASIC THRUST AND FOCUS OF THE MTSF

• The basic thrust of MTSF 2009 – 2014 is to improve the conditions of life of all South Africans and contribute to building a better Africa and a better world.Given the new challenges arising from the dramatic changes in the global economic environment, the main focus in the current period is :

• to minimise the impact of the economic downturn on the country’s productive capacity as well as jobs and poverty reduction measures,

• to identify opportunities for new areas of growth and economic participation, and

• progressively to set the country on a new growth and development path. Fundamental to the attainment of all our objectives is a growing economy, appropriately transformed, so that the benefits of growth are shared by all. All programmes we undertake should aim at reducing inequality.

The Human Development Cluster

BackgroundThe Social Cluster was re-organised by the new administration. The following two clusters have been established:

• Human Development

• Social Protection and Community Development

Both report to the Cabinet Committee for Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD)

Human Development Cluster

• Strengthen the skills and human resource base

• Improve the health profile of society

• Build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities

Note: • This presentation will focus on the PoA activities for the

department of Basic Education

Strengthen the skills and human resource base

Create a culture of achievement and improving learner outcomes with an overall improvement in key subjects like Mathematics and Science

• Conduct national assessments at Grades 3, 6, and 9 and report on results

Assessments conducted in grades 3 & 6 and results published

• Train Maths and Science teachers and provide additional resources to Dinaledi schools

Increase number of Maths and Science passes in National Senior Certificate (NSC)

Maths Target- 50 000 Dinaledi Schools – 24%

• Provide support to matric learners Increased number of candidates writing and passing NSC


Increase participation in and improved quality of early childhood development services

• Implement Foundations for Learning Guidelines for

resourcing and delivery of Grade R

100 Model Grade R classes established


Expand access to, and capacity of, secondary education with a view to increasing enrolment rates and that more young people are able to access and complete secondary education

• Extend no-fee status to Quintile 2 Secondary schools

Quintile 2 Secondary schools declared no-fee status• Attract appropriately qualified and competent teachers in all

learning areasIncreased enrolment in Initial Teacher Education programmes

Note:

This is in the strategic plan. However, we have not been able to implement the recruitment strategy this year as a result of financial constraints. We expect that there will be greater enrolment – but not as there was last year with the focused recruitment campaign.


Improve infrastructure, resources and equipment by ensuring that public schools have the necessary infrastructure, including basic services at recommended standard

• Develop a plan for the delivery of basic resources to all schools by 2011

Basic resources delivered to 50% of outstanding schoolsProvide 5 316 new classrooms, 66 new schools, 159 laboratories and 159 libraries

Departments involved:• DBE and PEDs• DME• DWAF• DPW• Local authorities


Intensify efforts to ensure that all schools have safe and supporting environments for all children

• Popularise and use search and seizure procedures for drugs and

weaponsConduct campaign on drug abuse targeted at schools.

Develop training manual and distribute search and seizure regulations to all schools

• Enhance safety infrastructure at schoolsMore schools fenced, especially schools at risk

• Community mobilization to protect schools

Reduction in incidents of vandalism at schools


Support and develop a teaching profession that is dedicated to providing education of high quality

• Pilot CPTD management system

144 schools participating in the pilot of the CPTD management system.

• Provide bursaries for prospective teachers9 000 student teachers in targeted areas supported by Funza Lushaka bursaries

• Establish Teacher Resource Centres

One Teacher Resource Centre per region established


Create conditions for effective school management including M&E functions and performance management.

• Implement IQMS IQMS implemented in all schools• Provide training for Principals

1600 Principals complete ACE in schools• Implement performance management provisions of SASA Performance plans prepared by all schools• Initial steps followed in the establishment of NEEDU

Policies, procedures and instruments for NEEDU finalized• Establish SMS with performance contracts

All principals sign performance contracts


Intensify efforts to ensure access and retention of learners in rural and farm schools through the rationalisation of small and non-viable schools

• Monitor closure and merger of schools and S14

agreementsRegular reports provided on closures, mergers and S14 agreements

• Develop and distribute discussion documents on

hostelsGuidelines developed and distributed


Implement programmes to improve understanding of values and human rights (including gender equity) amongst young people

• Provide curriculum support materials for Bill of

ResponsibilitiesMaterials developed and distributed

• Guidelines on Sexual Violence distributed and implemented.All schools to publicise and implement the guidelines

• Establish GEM and BEM clubs in schools 90 GEM/ BEM clubs established


Promote and build a sense of common national identity amongst young people

• Build common national identity through dialogues

and events

Opportunities at national days and sports / cultural events used to promote national identity and social cohesion

Ongoing dialogues to promote values ; including Albert Luthuli History Awards

Departments:DBE and DAC


Expand provision of basic literacy classes for adults through the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign

• Expand provision of Literacy

620 000 adults made literate through Kha Ri Gude

• Partnerships with other government Literacy programmes and projectsCooperation with other mass literacy initiatives

• Enable volunteers to facilitate basic literacy for the Kha Ri Gude literacy CampaignTrain and support 34 500 volunteers to facilitate literacy classes in communities.


Improve performance in ‘no fee’ schools, including supply of basic resources for teaching and learning, support to teachers in using those resources and addressing access to clean water and sanitation against NEIMS backlogs

• Improved resourcing and support to poorer schools

Foundations for Learning “Back2Basics” resource pack to all schools with Grade R classes

QIDS-UP resources to additional 4 300 schools


Youth development interventions :• Utilise existing MoU with SRSA to ensure opportunities for mass

participation, as well as national events

Every school to provide opportunities for involvement in extra-mural sports activities

National events in all codes held for learners

Departments: DBE & PEDs , SRSA • Share the responsibility for promoting and delivering school sport

as an important foundation for youth development150 Junior athletes supported to excel in international

competitions

Departments: Sport & Recreation, DBE


Extend Expanded Public Works Programme

• Expand access to Early Childhood Development by doubling the number of children enrolled in Early Childhood Development to over 600 000 through 1000 new sites with more than 3 500 practitioners trained and employed, and increasing the number of care-givers (A 11)

Access to ECD expanded

Departments:DSD, DBE, DoH

Build Cohensive, Caring and Sustainable Communities

Promote a shared value system and a greater sense of community solidarity

• Conduct National Symbols popularisation

campaignsCampaign conducted nationally

Departments:DAC and DBE

Next Steps

• The first progress report is due in October 2009• Three task teams have been established to facilitate and

manage the implementation of the Human Development PoA- Human Resource and Skills Development- Comprehensive Health Care- Youth Task Team

• Communications Task Team will meet monthly before a cluster meeting

• The cluster is co-chaired by the DGs of Health and Higher Education and Training

• Today the Ministers of the HD Cluster are meeting with their DGs to consider the progress reports in preparation for the Cabinet Lekgotla

• Preparation towards the next cycle PoA will start in earnest in the last quarter of 2009 to align the Strategic Plans with the MTSF

Alignment with Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation Processes

• Additional targets have been set by the M&E unit in the Presidency to address short-term challenges in the system

• These will be factored into planning for the 2010 school year

• The next PoA cycle will address particular steps towards enhancing quality outputs for the education system

THANK YOU

Questions and Discussion

Programme of Action 15 September 2009

Documents

Transcript of Programme of Action 15 September 2009