Issued by: The Department of Education
The National Committee on Further Education is to submit its preliminary Report to the Minister of Education, Professor Sibusiso Bengu, on Wednesday March 26 in Cape Town. The report sets out a conseptual framework for the development of further education and training, reviews the current scene, discusses future needs, outlines lessons from experience and poses some critical questions.
According to Committee Chairperson, Mr Silas Zuma, the South African education sector is under pressure to contribute to the democratisation process as well as to advance and create opportunities for people who were disadvantaged by decades of apartheid. He added that the government had already begun to review higher education, and significant changes had been made regarding the reorganisation of general education.
"We are concerned about the organisation and quality of further education and training and the lack of investment in human resources and skills which the country requires for economic growth, reconstruction, social development. At this stage we are anxious to share our thinking, and to outline what we believe are the key issues to be addressed," he said.
In the coming months, the Committee will consult widely throughout the provinces, undertake an audit of further education and training, commission other research work, and study developments in other countries. Final report is due by the end of July this year. Copies of the report will be distributed to provincial governments, providers of further education and training and other stakeholders.
Copies of the Preliminary Report can be obtained from the NCFE Secretariat, Department of Education, Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001
For further details, contact Silas Zuma, Committee Chairperson on (012) 312 5341 OR Khume Kangala, Deputy Director Communications Tel(012) 312 50340 Cell: 083 725 7624
25 March 1997