Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said to support schools and identify any issues that might affect effective teaching and learning at the start of the academic year, the department has been conducting School Readiness Monitoring (SRM).
Motsumi said the department is working tirelessly to address these issues as soon as possible at the right level of the system. She further said a lot of work has gone into making sure that all of the schools in the province are prepared to offer quality teaching and learning on the first day in classes as the academic year resumes.
“Officials and Circuit Managers from the province were part of the monitoring team. Observational domains examined in the evaluation of readiness for school were the South African School Administration Management System (SA-SAMS), school admissions, provision of teachers, and provision of LTSM.
“They were also part of social cohesion and equity and school sports and enrichment curriculum management, ICT, school safety, coding and robotics, national school nutrition programme (NSNP),” said Motsumi.
She added that the provision of quality infrastructure with emphasis on safe water, sanitation and learner transport in all four districts were part of the discussions. Motsumi said while the SRM revealed widespread compliance with provincial application deadlines, they acknowledged the remaining challenges.
“The late applications persist, despite our continuous awareness campaigns. Nevertheless, our schools uphold non-discriminatory admission policies. Every child, regardless of documentation status deserves an equal right to education. Most of our schools are fully equipped for learners’ return.
“We want to guarantee a smooth start to the academic year and our extensive school readiness monitoring efforts demonstrate our commitment to quality education for all. The department remains dedicated to improving education delivery in the province,” she said.
Motsumi said the SRM findings will guide targeted interventions and ensure optimal learning environments for all students. Furthermore, she said the department will host the National Senior Certificate Results announcement at Sun City Resort, near Rustenburg on Friday.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape will visit Dingake Primary School in Verdwaal as part of the school re-opening activities for the 2024 academic year. Maape spokesperson, Sello Tatai said during Maape’s 2023 State of the Province Address (SOPA), he indicated that Dingake Primary and 300 other schools will benefit from the introduction of breakfast as part of an intensified programme to serve two meals a day to learners from less privileged communities.
“The initiative, which is being implemented through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), is aimed at mitigating the impact of poverty on learners from communities grappling with various challenges of socio-economic concern.
“To date, the government continues to feed 744 320 learners in more than 1300 schools across the province. Maape’s visit will commence at 10am,” he said.
The Guardian 