Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana, DDG Transformation Programmes, chaired the meeting with the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) saying that, “As we transition into the 7th Administration, we need to sharpen our focus and our swords to ensure system readiness for the new academic year, accentuating quality over quantity, especially in the General Education and Training Band for Mathematics and Sciences”.
Dr Mbude-Mehana also congratulated the province on their MTbBE model: “All provinces will use your model as an example of best practice when they plan for implementation in 2025. Please ensure that you document your programme for research and reference purposes”. On Language and Literacy, the Reading Strategy was reviewed during September 2023, and is currently aligned to the National Strategy with advocacy having taken place with School Management Teams who have developed School Reading Policies. The ECDoE conducted an audit of Quintile 1 to 3 primary schools, along with a costed action plan for MTbBE rollout. In addition, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Term Banks for Sesotho and isiXhosa were developed. A total of 1,438 primary schools will be implementing MTbBE in 2025 and 1,936 schools have already come on board.
Ms Sharon Maasdorp, Acting HoD, expressed her sincere gratitude to the DBE for their support, as well as to her entire team, including district and circuit managers, for all their support provided in respect of learner support programmes. “I would like to thank DG Mweli in particular, for his commitment towards our Last Push activities.”
DBE DDG Dr Barney Mthembu said that the DBE was impressed with the province’s improvement in academic performance across all 12 districts. “Your third term results is an indication that the performance in the province has improved; keep the momentum and do not drop the ball,” he advised.
In respect of ECD, and the implementation of the Bana Pele Mass Registration drive, the province has accessed 100 ECD centres for registration since the beginning of September 2024, and a session with the DBE has been scheduled for November 2024, for capacitating district officials. A total of 2,556 ECD practitioners have been trained on the NCF.
Internal examinations and assessments will be administered from 28 October to 15 November 2024. A total of 117,000 candidates will be writing the NSC examinations. A detailed state of examinations readiness report was presented to the DBE and feedback was received in terms of minor findings such as shortages of monitors and vehicles, as well as security issues. These have since been addressed and the province is ready to administer credible and fair examinations. In respect of readiness for the new academic year, learner admission numbers within the province appears to be declining; however, this will only be confirmed in the new year as many late admissions are experienced during January. The province has identified hot spots for overcrowding, and are addressing these concerns.
Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for MST and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes, congratulated the province on the steady improvement in Mathematics and MST subjects, however let’s pursue quality, he advised. DBE’s Mr Mmutle Tabane, complimented the province on their participation in Art subjects and Music, saying that learners should improve quality, whilst the capacity in senior education specialists should be improved. The provision of LTSM on time must be improved and the shortage of textbooks in technical sciences addressed. Indications are that the province will perform better than the previous year.