npfted report-back portfolio committee on education 27 february 2007 palesa tyobeka deputy...
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NPFTED REPORT-BACK
Portfolio Committee on Education
27 February 2007
Palesa TyobekaDeputy Director-General: General
EducationDepartment of Education
Progress summary Revision of policy framework
almost complete Implementation is already under
way Recruitment campaign Fundza Lushaka bursaries CPTD programme planning and
development Organisational support
Revised policy framework Teacher education and the quality of
teaching are rightly in national spotlight Teachers are strategic national asset,
so policy framework must empower them
Advice from stakeholders has been taken seriously
Likewise lessons from HEQF reviews of teacher education programmes
Revised policy framework Revision of policy framework is well
advanced HEDCOM and CEM have been advised
and consulted along the way Final document should be approved
and published very soon Need to keep somewhat open-ended,
to improve in light of experience
Framework implementation Strong support for main
components of framework, so Early implementation possible on
several fronts DoE has moved ahead in
partnership with provinces, HEIs and SACE
Recruitment campaign Fundza Lushaka – educate the nation
– is the banner under which our recruitment campaign is launched
We are promoting teaching as a career of choice for very able, committed young (and mature) South Africans
Watchwords: challenge, service, fulfilment
Recruitment campaign Campaign targets
Top high school learners seeking a challenging and socially valuable career
Higher education students looking to put their qualifications to best use
Mature citizens wanting to switch to a more fulfilling career
Former teachers who would like to return
Recruitment campaign Intrinsic incentives
Supreme challenge: good teaching demands exceptional intellectual and moral commitment from exceptional people
Fulfilment: teaching, guiding children and young people brings lifelong satisfaction
Social esteem: high quality, value-based teaching is backbone of social transformation
Recruitment campaign Material incentives
Job security Improved teachers’ pay and career
prospects Loan/bursaries from NSFAS for able
but financially needy students Fundza Lushaka Bursaries for able
students in priority areas of need
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries Fundza Lushaka Bursary
Programme launched in December 2006
Successful advertising campaign R120 million this year = over 3 000
full-cost bursaries linked to service contracts
Excellent response: funds will be fully utilised
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries Excellent collaboration from HEIs (VCs,
Registrars, Deans of Education) Outstanding co-operation from NSFAS
which administers programme through hard-working student financial aid offices in HEIs
MECs for Education and PDE HoDs give superb support: Implementation Protocol ensures inter-provincial co-operation in placement of qualified bursary recipients
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries Eligible students in 2007:
BEd (students in years 1, 2, 3 or 4) BA/BSc/BCom/BTech (students in year 3
with majors suitable for admission to a PGCE, which students must commit themselves to enter after graduating)
PGCE students Only in designated priority areas of need
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries Priority areas of need in 2007
Grades R-9: Foundation Phase; African Languages; English Language; Mathematics; Natural Science; Technology.
Grades 10-12: African Languages; English Language; Mathematics; Mathematical Literacy; Agricultural Sciences; Life Sciences; Physical Science; Agricultural, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Information and Computer Applications Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design.
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries Eligible programmes and priority
areas of need will be reviewed each year and amended if necessary
Bursaries convert to loans if students default
Defaulters must pay back according to NSFAS rules
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries All HEIs apply national selection
criteria: eligibility for academic programme + above average grades + interest in young people, commitment to teaching
Provincial education departments participate in selection with Faculties of Education
Fundza Lushaka Bursaries R180 million committed for 2008 =
4 500+ bursaries R400 million committed for 2009 =
9 000+ bursaries Plus bursary recipients in pipeline Adds up to massive national
commitment to meet priority teaching needs
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD)
DoE/SACE working in partnership to plan and develop national programme
Est. 18-24 months before fully operational
But phased implementation necessary Meanwhile priority in-service
programmes continue (NPDE, ACE)
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) CPTD programme is based on
Supporting teachers’ own assessment of needs through IQMS
Addressing defined weaknesses Using experience and expertise in the
system as much as possible School-based activities as much as
possible Developmental not punitive concept
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) SACE will be empowered to manage the
national programme in terms of its statutory mandate
All SACE-endorsed professional development activities will earn PD points
All teachers will be expected to accumulate a target number of points each 3-year cycle
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) Success and risk factors are being
studied by DoE/SACE task team to ensure feasibility of programme
Serious risks must be avoided Less serious risks must be
managed
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) Successful programme will require:
Confidence and support of teachers PD points system that will serve real
professional needs Serious quality control and assurance Strong support by provincial, district,
school leadership Robust, accurate databases for
educators/programmes
Organisational support Development and implementation of
policy framework is getting strong support from DoE Inter-Branch Committee on Teacher
Education DoE/SACE task team on CPTD DoE interaction with Deans of Education Forum CEM/HEDCOM oversight + HEDCOM Sub-Ctee
on Teacher Education for provincial liaison
Organisational support Need for stakeholder advisory
body will be kept under review Parliamentary oversight through
Portfolio Committee on Education is highly appreciated
Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) DoE will allocate R5 million to SACE for
initial planning and development costs Other grants will follow as development
plans are approved Investment cost of programme must be
measured against total multi-billion Rand teacher salary bill
CPTD is an investment in education quality: the programme must produce more effective learning