Basic Education Minister, Mrs Angie Moshekga, addressed District Directors at the Education Summit which took place at Capital Pearls Hotel in the KwaZulu-Natal Province from 10 to 11 October 2019. The Summit, which culminated from the District Director’ forums, spearheaded by Deputy Director-General for Planning and Delivery Oversight, Mrs Palesa Tyobeka, assists the DBE in scrutinising the direction the sector is taking. Key aspects that were prioritised during the Summit included curriculum delivery; district and school management; quality teachers for every grade and every subject; learner support; and school safety. Day two of the Summit was chaired by Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule.
Speaking during the Summit, Mrs Tyobeka highlighted that although the DBE, in collaboration with the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), have registered noteworthy progress in improving learning outcomes, a lot still needs to be done to address social ills experienced within the sector. The Minister indicated that through the implementation of the Action Hubs which are also known as commissions, solid strategies will be developed and shared amongst education districts across the country.
In her address, Minister Motshekga indicated that the Summit follows in the footsteps of the Presidential District Coordination Service Delivery Model aimed at accelerating service delivery in various spheres of Government: “Today is a special occasion to focus on strategies that will propel all our districts into becoming hubs of excellence. We have to take stock of systems that work, new ideas and consolidate our plans for the future. The new district-based coordination model aims to address service delivery and economic development challenges through the synchronisation of planning across all spheres of government, and working alongside social partners such as business and community”.
Minister Motshekga further added: “The President talks of forty-four districts and eight metros. Meanwhile in education we have a total of seventy-five districts, but remember – our districts are still aligned to Municipal Boundaries. What we did; however, was to subdivide the big Municipalities so we could better deliver educational services. All these should be operating within single Municipal Boundaries for us to be part of the new energy brought about by the new administration. School infrastructure remains a critical aspect that requires urgent attention. Our schools belong to the communities and dot the landscape in our districts and metros. It therefore makes sense to work in tandem with other spheres of Government to deliver optimal service delivery”.
“I am pleased to note that in your Action Hubs you intend to be reflective, as well as strategic," concluded Minister Motshekga.