Tag Archives: Department of Education

Angie Motshekga on the national teachers’ strike

The national teachers’ strike has been a major blow to public education, and has had a particularly devastating effect on the education of poor, rural and black children. I am pleased that the industrial action is now probably behind us and that we can begin the process of stabilizing our schools. The Council of Education Ministers and I have considered a range of options, including the extension of the school day, classes on weekends and how best to use the September school holidays, to make up for the lost schooling time.

‘SADTU must match its words with its deeds’

‘SADTU must match its words with its deeds’

To improve education, SADTU must match its words with its deeds. Any discussion on education in South Africa inevitably begins with a litany of its failings. These collectively constitute an “education crisis”. Like most truths that are repeated often enough, this litany has turned into political cliché and lost the power to shock. That is why the new angle, in a speech by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga this week, got people listening again.

DG defends SA teachers

The majority of South Africa’s teachers are dedicated professionals who give of their best at all times and serve the needs of their pupils, acting basic education director-general Bobby Soobrayan said on Thursday. Reacting to media reports – following a presentation to a parliamentary portfolio committee on Wednesday, at which he tabled a document stating [...]

Too many teachers below par: department

Too many teachers below par: department

Too many school teachers cannot pass the tests their pupils sit, the basic education department said on Wednesday. There are also serious problems with teachers’ commitment to their tasks, according to a document tabled by the department’s acting director general, Bobby Soobrayan, at a briefing for members of Parliament’s basic education portfolio committee. “Too many [...]

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