Issued by: Ministry of Education
STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROF S M E BENGU
I had a frank and constructive meeting with Dr V T Zulu, the provincial MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of education, Mr Renier Schoeman, and the Director-General of national education, Dr Chabani Manganyi. The meeting arose out of my personal concern, and numerous other concerns and complaints I received about the state of education in KwaZulu-Natal. I had previously shared these concerns with the MEC and had hitherto received no response from him.
The major concern was the perception of lack of progress and change in the education system in that province in the light of the need to transform every aspect of the education system.
We had a successful exchange of ideas and information relating to specific problems that might have contributed to the perceptions and further discussed mechanisms to address these problems.
Some of the specific problems discussed were the following;
On the basis information furnished by Dr Zulu on his attempts to deal with the above matter, it was agreed that no efforts should be spared in resolving this matter as a matter of urgency.
In the interests of proper coordination and communication in the national education system, it was agreed that, notwithstanding the political position of the IFP, Dr Zulu would seek other means to enable the province to participate in the CEM.
The meeting was also attended by Mr Roger Burrows, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education in KwaZulu-Natal who also shared the above concerns about education in the province. It was agreed that regular communication between the Ministry and the portfolio committee in this province would also go a long way in ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal forms an integral part of the national education system.
I hope and trust that the discussions we have had today will signal the beginning of a better relationship and interaction between the provincial and national departments of education. This would provide a sound platform for the transformation of the education system in the province in line with the demands of the Constitution.
I therefore call upon all educators, educationists and leaders in this province to immediately embark on a principled dealogue that should catapult th education department of this province into one of the most dynamic, resourceful and receptive departments in that province.
As I have a joint responsibility with Dr Zulu for education in that province, I am obliged to monitor the delivery of education services in this and all other provinces in order to fully account to Cabinet about the performance of the education system. I am therefore committed to exercise this duty in a consultative transparent and constructive manner.
For further details please contact Lincoln Mali at 083 251 4044.
14 November