"Of particular concern is that this year the number of Grade 10 learners increased by 3 058. The three years that these learners have to catch-up and prepare for their matric is not sufficient and this reflects in our results. To improve our results, the Eastern Cape Education Department's performance will have to increase so that there is less pressure on us. The reality is that parents know the WCED is the best run education department because we concentrate on the quality of education and not only on getting the numbers to pass matric. This is why they send their children to us."
Grant said that in his budget speech delivered to the Western Cape Legislator the previous day, his department allocated R3,4-billion over a three year period for new schools, improvements to existing structures and maintenance.
"From R856-million allocated for the replacement of inappropriate structures we will in this financial year completely rebuild Pacaltsdorp High School to our highest standards from the ground up. The 'Die Bult' facility, as a special needs school, will be phased out and replaced with a high school on the premises at the beginning of 2015. The new high school will be phased in over three years. The details for the school is currently being worked out and a statement will be issued in the future to clarify all outstanding matters." Questioned by a member of the audience regarding the possibility of building a technical high school in Thembalethu, Grant replied, "We look at the priorities of the circuit and we currently need regular schools, not technical facilities, which are adequately covered by FET colleges."
Grant said he was pleased to report that since taking over the department in 2009 they have improved upon all four of the strategic goals that were set, namely: the improvement in language and mathematics in primary schools, the improvement in the number and quality of passes in the National Senior Certificate, the reduction in the number of under-performing schools and an increase in the retention rate at schools.
Grant expressed his concern regarding the amount of money that is spent on school transport. "Over 50 000 learners are transported to and from school daily. The money can and must be spent more wisely on teaching. The solution is to upgrade those schools that the learners are driving past to get to a facility that delivers better education."
Wilbur Pedro, the headmaster of Hibernia Primary, explaining the pro-blems he has at his school to the MEC. Photos: Myron Rabinowitz
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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