Date: 11/03/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Most Improved Schools Awards ceremony
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, MR JACOB ZUMA, AT THE MOST IMPROVED SCHOOLS AWARDS CEREMONY, PRESIDENTIAL GUESTHOUSE, PRETORIA, 11 March 2004
Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal
Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Mosibudi Mangena
MECs, Directors-General and Senior Managers in the Departments of Education
Members of the Adjudication Panel
Funders and sponsors
Award winners
Distinguished guests.
We meet once again, to honour our learners and those who make the business of learning possible, our educators.
This august occasion takes place only a few weeks before the celebration of one decade of our freedom and democracy, on 27 April. This year is therefore one of celebration, in many spheres, including education.
We are proud of the fact that the performance of our education system is improving daily. Whereas despair and hopelessness characterised the apartheid schooling system, order and hope characterise the schooling system in a new democratic order. Stability is the order of the day in our schools.
More time is spent on learning and teaching, and there are fewer industrial actions. In short, schools are stable and now focus on their core business of teaching and learning.
Most importantly, the first decade of our freedom and democracy has seen great strides being made in transforming the education system from a racially based one to a non-racial one, which provides room for development for all children regardless of their backgrounds. We certainly need to celebrate this important achievement brought by freedom and democracy.
The Most Improved Schools Awards ceremony tonight therefore provides us with an opportunity to honour and congratulate all the schools that have done exceptionally well in the past year, adding to the climate of achievement that we so energetically promote in our country.
You will recall, ladies and gentlemen, that the initiative to launch the concept of the Most Improved School Awards as part of the Tirisano programme was an important intervention, aimed at changing the culture and ethos of our educational system.
Four years later, we are already beginning to reap the rewards. The awards have contributed positively to turning the situation around. They have acted as an incentive for our educators and learners to work hard throughout each year, with the support of parents of course.
These awards have truly left an indelible mark to those who have received them and inspired many more to make their humble contribution towards the development of learners.
I have had the privilege of being part of these awards for the past four years, and if these awards were given on the basis of regular attendance, I would be an obvious candidate myself, Minister Asmal. I have noted over the years that those who received these awards have unique qualities: tenacity, perseverance, vision and commitment.
On receiving these awards, they went through an emotional journey of joy and happiness. And all, over the years, have truly deserved the awards, given their dedication.
Ladies and gentlemen, the issue of skills development and proper career-pathing of our youth remains a critical task for all of us. It is therefore important that this competition has categories that promote excellence in information technology, and which reward schools that produce more learners who pass gateway subjects like Mathematics and Science, especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through this initiative, we are likely to see more African scientists emerging to advance the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) goal of creating a pool of technical talent, to focus on seeking African solutions to African problems.
It is against this background that Cabinet approved in January 2004, eight objectives of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education to be achieved in the next decade of liberation and democracy. Among these objectives, we need to increase the pool of learners passing mathematics, science and technology - especially African and girl learners.
We also need to improve our languages of learning and teaching of these subjects. This will enhance and empower the majority of our learners because it will put them in better positions to comprehend these subjects.
This should be coupled with an increased number of qualified and competent teachers in all mathematics, science and technology classes.
Also, with the assistance from the private sector, relevant infrastructure, equipment and digital content must be at the disposal of all mathematics, science and technology educators and learners.
An additional sponsorship by the Anglo American Chairman's Fund for the new mathematics and science category of the Most Improved Schools Awards is a welcome contribution. It already contributes towards achieving some of the objectives of Cabinet, especially with regards to promoting maths and science in rural schools.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Most Improved School Awards has sharpened our senses. It has made us hunters of opportunities. The overwhelming support it receives from the private sector strengthens the public and the private partnerships that already exist and creates new ones where they do not exist. The quality of public education is all the more elevated because of these partnerships.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the sterling work, done by all winners highlights the silent revolution occurring away from the glare of the public eye. Minister Asmal, let me reiterate that our awards ceremony this year has come at the time when our country is celebrating ten years of freedom and democracy. I hope that during this year of celebrations we will find a way of highlighting education as one of the major achievements, one of the cornerstones and key elements of freedom and democracy. We have always said that there is no nation that can be prosperous without educating its people.
To the winners, we say congratulations, and continue to work harder and do better than ever. Be a beacon of hope in your communities, and encourage others to excel in whatever they do.
Our heartiest congratulations to you all!
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
11 March 2004
Source: SAPA
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Most Improved Schools Awards ceremony
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, MR JACOB ZUMA, AT THE MOST IMPROVED SCHOOLS AWARDS CEREMONY, PRESIDENTIAL GUESTHOUSE, PRETORIA, 11 March 2004
Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal
Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Mosibudi Mangena
MECs, Directors-General and Senior Managers in the Departments of Education
Members of the Adjudication Panel
Funders and sponsors
Award winners
Distinguished guests.
We meet once again, to honour our learners and those who make the business of learning possible, our educators.
This august occasion takes place only a few weeks before the celebration of one decade of our freedom and democracy, on 27 April. This year is therefore one of celebration, in many spheres, including education.
We are proud of the fact that the performance of our education system is improving daily. Whereas despair and hopelessness characterised the apartheid schooling system, order and hope characterise the schooling system in a new democratic order. Stability is the order of the day in our schools.
More time is spent on learning and teaching, and there are fewer industrial actions. In short, schools are stable and now focus on their core business of teaching and learning.
Most importantly, the first decade of our freedom and democracy has seen great strides being made in transforming the education system from a racially based one to a non-racial one, which provides room for development for all children regardless of their backgrounds. We certainly need to celebrate this important achievement brought by freedom and democracy.
The Most Improved Schools Awards ceremony tonight therefore provides us with an opportunity to honour and congratulate all the schools that have done exceptionally well in the past year, adding to the climate of achievement that we so energetically promote in our country.
You will recall, ladies and gentlemen, that the initiative to launch the concept of the Most Improved School Awards as part of the Tirisano programme was an important intervention, aimed at changing the culture and ethos of our educational system.
Four years later, we are already beginning to reap the rewards. The awards have contributed positively to turning the situation around. They have acted as an incentive for our educators and learners to work hard throughout each year, with the support of parents of course.
These awards have truly left an indelible mark to those who have received them and inspired many more to make their humble contribution towards the development of learners.
I have had the privilege of being part of these awards for the past four years, and if these awards were given on the basis of regular attendance, I would be an obvious candidate myself, Minister Asmal. I have noted over the years that those who received these awards have unique qualities: tenacity, perseverance, vision and commitment.
On receiving these awards, they went through an emotional journey of joy and happiness. And all, over the years, have truly deserved the awards, given their dedication.
Ladies and gentlemen, the issue of skills development and proper career-pathing of our youth remains a critical task for all of us. It is therefore important that this competition has categories that promote excellence in information technology, and which reward schools that produce more learners who pass gateway subjects like Mathematics and Science, especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through this initiative, we are likely to see more African scientists emerging to advance the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) goal of creating a pool of technical talent, to focus on seeking African solutions to African problems.
It is against this background that Cabinet approved in January 2004, eight objectives of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education to be achieved in the next decade of liberation and democracy. Among these objectives, we need to increase the pool of learners passing mathematics, science and technology - especially African and girl learners.
We also need to improve our languages of learning and teaching of these subjects. This will enhance and empower the majority of our learners because it will put them in better positions to comprehend these subjects.
This should be coupled with an increased number of qualified and competent teachers in all mathematics, science and technology classes.
Also, with the assistance from the private sector, relevant infrastructure, equipment and digital content must be at the disposal of all mathematics, science and technology educators and learners.
An additional sponsorship by the Anglo American Chairman's Fund for the new mathematics and science category of the Most Improved Schools Awards is a welcome contribution. It already contributes towards achieving some of the objectives of Cabinet, especially with regards to promoting maths and science in rural schools.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Most Improved School Awards has sharpened our senses. It has made us hunters of opportunities. The overwhelming support it receives from the private sector strengthens the public and the private partnerships that already exist and creates new ones where they do not exist. The quality of public education is all the more elevated because of these partnerships.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the sterling work, done by all winners highlights the silent revolution occurring away from the glare of the public eye. Minister Asmal, let me reiterate that our awards ceremony this year has come at the time when our country is celebrating ten years of freedom and democracy. I hope that during this year of celebrations we will find a way of highlighting education as one of the major achievements, one of the cornerstones and key elements of freedom and democracy. We have always said that there is no nation that can be prosperous without educating its people.
To the winners, we say congratulations, and continue to work harder and do better than ever. Be a beacon of hope in your communities, and encourage others to excel in whatever they do.
Our heartiest congratulations to you all!
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
11 March 2004
Source: SAPA
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