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13 December 2007

The school year has finally come to a halt for our teachers and learners. The majority of our officials will also take a breather from 14 December before the release of the 2007 matric and adult basic education and training on 28 December 2007.

It has been a formidable year, full of challenges but also highlights and achievements.

The prolonged industrial action has without a doubt impacted heavily on education which is the life-blood of society. However, the response to the recovery plan to make up for the teaching time lost during the three weeks long strike, was encouraging and we would like to thank our teachers, learners, parents and officials for their support during the winter and spring schools, Saturday classes and tuition after school hours.

Thank you for preparing our children and learners – not only academically but also for life. It is that extra mile that makes the difference.

Our partnership with our teacher unions has been beneficial to both parties. We signed a multi-term agreement – the first of its kind in the country, which would certainly make a difference to the lives of our teachers. The teacher/learner ratio of 31:18 for the 2008/09 financial year will also be the lowest since democracy with the appointment of a record number of teachers next year. Another first will be the appointment of 600 teaching assistants and close to 3000 security guards.

The provision of infrastructure has been a priority in the Department. Besides the opening of three brand new schools we have also made great strides with the provision of other infrastructure, in particular our sanitation programme where we have provided a record number of toilets – bringing delivery to more than 12 000 since April 2004.

Our partnership with friends in the industry has had great advantages for our Further Education and Training Colleges. The establishment of a Tooling Centre of Excellence – a joint venture of the Tooling Association of South Africa and Department of Fionance and Economic Development – has already resulted in the first level graduation of our first tooling students.

Skills development and literacy go hand in hand. Still imprinted in many people's minds is the mass graduation where 8 000 adult learners in our Masifundisane community literacy programme received their certificates in basic literacy – the oldest recipient 101 years old.

The year 2007 also saw the launch of the Department's reading policy. Reading forms the basis of any learning – even a rocket scientist must be able to read before he or she can achieve. As parents we are our children's first teachers and when we are involved in their education we are helping them to do their very best at school. My plea to parents is to invest in books at home. Instead of buying expensive toys a book or two for Christmas will last longer and serve a better purpose. Encourage your children to read during the holidays – they will certainly reap the benefits.

I also appeal to parents to have their children at school on Day One when the first bell rings. Research has proven that children who attend school regularly perform better. Next year there will be 201 school days. For the sake of our children's future they must be at school for 201 days in 2008.

We wish all our learners, parents, teachers and officials a blessed and happy festive season and a fulfilling 2008.

Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
13 December 2007