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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
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