Date: 06/03/2004
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
Title: M Dipico: Address at Principals Conference


PREMIER OF THE NORTHERN CAPE, MANNE DIPICO SPEAKER NOTES AT THE OCCASION OF THE PRINCIPALS CONFERENCE, KIMBERLEY, 6 March 2004

Director of Ceremonies
MEC Tina Joemat-Petterson
School Governing Bodies representatives
Officials from the department
Learner representatives
Various leaders in education
Most importantly the Principals

I would like to extend my warm and fraternal greetings to you on the occasion of your Principals Conference for Francis Baard and Pixley Ka Seme Region.

* As government, we are very humbled about the support we received from you for the last ten years of freedom in our country
* I would also like to thank all other stakeholders in education such as the teachers generally, the parents and learners whose contribution has been equally important
* Your commitment to education for our children is the shining light that many poor children and parents see at the end of the tunnel
* You have laid a solid foundation for future success and I hope that this conference will consolidate those efforts. Our destiny and that of our country is firmly in your hands
* Our support to you is guaranteed beyond this election, we implore you to abide by the principles and policies of government as you do your work
* You as principals must be an exposition of the caring society that we wish to build
* Education is the basis for our country's economic revival and education delivery is in your hands.

Important strides have been made in education transformation during the decade of freedom:

* Largely returned stability to our schools
* Ensured less disruptions of classes and schools
* Our schools are safer than before
* Systems are in place to gauge and even predict future performance
* The gap between performance of former model C's and historically disadvantaged schools is closing
* We have a record matric performance pass rate of above 90%
* We have achieved the highest matric pass rate for three successive years.

The above speaks volumes about your work as principals and educators. This is what you have effectively achieved during our first ten years of freedom. We must make sure that amongst others the following does not occur:

* Learners chased out of class because their parents are poor
* Misuses of school food security programme
* Learners and teachers loaf aimlessly around during schools attendance time.

Let's make it happen where we educate, in our schools.

I thank you

6 March 2004
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)