Since the results of the Grade 12 NSC exams were announced early in January. Masibambane Secondary School has received praise from all quarters. The publicity in the print media, on the internet and over the radio has been overwhelming.
The corporate sector has come forward offering support and we are thrilled but what is the most touching is that individual, working class people have come forward offering help.
We know that we work hard but we never imagined that our hard work would be acknowledged in this way. On behalf of every single member of the staff, every single learner and every single parent or guardian, we thank you all.
We are often asked what the secret to our success is. Answering this question makes us uncomfortable as we do not wish to appear judgmental of other schools as each and every school is unique with its own dynamics.
However sharing best practices is always helpful and can only be for the betterment of our children, especially when we are serving impoverished communities
Research has shown that learners in impoverished communities start schooling with major disadvantages and when they complete their schooling they leave with the same disadvantages.
To change the status quo and break the cycle of underachievement and poverty, we as management serving impoverished communities must strive first of all to ensure basic functionality which implies efficient management of personnel, finances, and resources. It is only when staff are deployed strategically that learners are properly managed and an ethos of order and discipline prevails.
Sound financial practices and careful use of resources ensures that maximum value is derived from the limited finances and that existing resources are well maintained while additional resources are acquired. The effective management of these funds and resources enables educators to implement systems that promote order and discipline and a programme that promotes holistic development of learners.
Order and discipline are the foundations on which skills, knowledge, a positive attitude and good values are built. Alan Clarke (2006) posits order, discipline and predictability as cornerstones to the establishment of a highly functional school.
Secondly the policies, systems and procedures do not on their own make for a successful school, more important is the implementation of these policies, systems and procedures and the monitoring thereof.
Of greatest significance are the systems for accountability in respect of curriculum delivery.
Curriculum being the core function of the school, the systems for accountability ought to include instruments for the educator and HOD, and between HOD and senior management to monitor quality. These instruments for accountability ought to ensure accountability between instruments needed to be used on a regular basis to ensure quality teaching and learning. It is expected that if planning and preparation is of a high standard the quality of interaction between educator and learner in the classroom will be one of quality.
Finally, as educators serving impoverished communities we must acknowledge that for various well known reasons parental involvement in their children’s education is minimal, the conditions within the community and the homes are not conducive to studying and learners lack motivation.
Therefore it is incumbent upon us to put in place intervention strategies which should include regular motivational sessions and most importantly opportunities for learners to spend more time on their studies. This could take the form of early morning and afternoon classes, Saturday or holiday classes and evening self study or group work sessions.
In the group work sessions learners motivate each other and as the pressure builds they are able to stay focused.
There is much that could be said about a successful school, however within the limited scope of this column we hope that we have covered the most salient issues and while there may be nothing new that came up at least this article may have helped you reflect on your practices.
In parting …
… “Your educators are your greatest wealth, invest heavily in them.”
“Inspire them with your own commitment and dedication.”
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
At Risk – Women And Children! by Shireen Sedres (featured in latest edition of Chalkline)
Despite excellent maternal and child health policies in South Africa, implementation is weak and South Africa is only one of a few countries in the world where mortality in the under-5 year age group is increasing, says USAID on its website.
The challenges we face in South Africa are enormous: Most young South Africans living with HIV and Aids are female and young South Africans are beset with a high rate of adolescent pregnancy, as well as high prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“Women’s Health is one of the priorities of the Western Cape department of Health and maternal health is part thereof,” says Faiza Steyn, Director: Communications at the Western Cape department of Health.
“The service and skills level at our Western Cape Midwife Obstetrics units and clinics compare fair to national and international standards and as much as possible practical advice is shared with all patients.”
The department believes that the various health care needs of pregnant woman should be addressed to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby. “Among others we focus on diagnosing the pregnancy and providing good antenatal care, i.e. good medical and general history taking; risk screening and referral to appropriate level of care; performing relevant screening tests; assessing maternal and foetal condition at each visit and follow up visits as “per level of care where the patient will be managed.”
“We also address further contraceptive needs, discuss maternal and infant feeding, provide general health education about pregnancy and provide care during the labour process and postnatal period.”
Steyn explains that the department routinely performs an enquiry into all maternal and perinatal deaths as part of the national confidential enquiry into maternal deaths irrespective of the cause of the death. “This is part of a national process with the aim of reducing maternal and perinatal deaths.”
“At a facility level morbidity and mortality review meetings are held where maternal and perinatal deaths are audited, discussed and corrective actions taken. This is all part of a national confidential process and no details relating to cases can be shared, unfortunately.”
Steyn adds that although it is not mandatory for nursing staff at the units and clinics to complete continuous learning and training, all are encouraged to do so and in-service training is continually arranged on topics related to midwifery.
There is a special focus on HIV/Aids at these units and clinics and it is addressed in the initial screening process of patients. “Counselling and testing is done and patients are managed accordingly and appropriate health/lifestyle education is given,” says Steyn.
Another serious health reality in the Western Cape is the prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). “As part of the history taking and initial screening done on pregnant women, information is taken around alcohol use and then appropriately counselled.
“Various clinics in the high-risk areas have health education programmes around FAS and some districts have forged partnerships with relevant NGOs and researchers to implement intervention programmes focusing on prevention of FAS.”
Steyn says the Western Cape department of health continuously focuses energies and resources on new initiatives to set the province apart from the rest of the country.
“In this vein we are proud of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme and the policy on comprehensive management of survivors of rape and sexual assault,” she concludes.
The challenges we face in South Africa are enormous: Most young South Africans living with HIV and Aids are female and young South Africans are beset with a high rate of adolescent pregnancy, as well as high prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“Women’s Health is one of the priorities of the Western Cape department of Health and maternal health is part thereof,” says Faiza Steyn, Director: Communications at the Western Cape department of Health.
“The service and skills level at our Western Cape Midwife Obstetrics units and clinics compare fair to national and international standards and as much as possible practical advice is shared with all patients.”
The department believes that the various health care needs of pregnant woman should be addressed to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby. “Among others we focus on diagnosing the pregnancy and providing good antenatal care, i.e. good medical and general history taking; risk screening and referral to appropriate level of care; performing relevant screening tests; assessing maternal and foetal condition at each visit and follow up visits as “per level of care where the patient will be managed.”
“We also address further contraceptive needs, discuss maternal and infant feeding, provide general health education about pregnancy and provide care during the labour process and postnatal period.”
Steyn explains that the department routinely performs an enquiry into all maternal and perinatal deaths as part of the national confidential enquiry into maternal deaths irrespective of the cause of the death. “This is part of a national process with the aim of reducing maternal and perinatal deaths.”
“At a facility level morbidity and mortality review meetings are held where maternal and perinatal deaths are audited, discussed and corrective actions taken. This is all part of a national confidential process and no details relating to cases can be shared, unfortunately.”
Steyn adds that although it is not mandatory for nursing staff at the units and clinics to complete continuous learning and training, all are encouraged to do so and in-service training is continually arranged on topics related to midwifery.
There is a special focus on HIV/Aids at these units and clinics and it is addressed in the initial screening process of patients. “Counselling and testing is done and patients are managed accordingly and appropriate health/lifestyle education is given,” says Steyn.
Another serious health reality in the Western Cape is the prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). “As part of the history taking and initial screening done on pregnant women, information is taken around alcohol use and then appropriately counselled.
“Various clinics in the high-risk areas have health education programmes around FAS and some districts have forged partnerships with relevant NGOs and researchers to implement intervention programmes focusing on prevention of FAS.”
Steyn says the Western Cape department of health continuously focuses energies and resources on new initiatives to set the province apart from the rest of the country.
“In this vein we are proud of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme and the policy on comprehensive management of survivors of rape and sexual assault,” she concludes.
Minister Grant: Increasing security needs in our province's schools
Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Education, Western Cape
Ensuring that our learners and educators are able to teach and learn in a safe and secure environment is a priority for this government.
But given the amount of crime and violence we have in this country everyday, we do face some major challenges in this regard.
These challenges include vandalism and theft at our schools, the rise in gangsterism in certain areas, the influx of drugs and violence into our communities.
Ultimately, we want to strengthen security measures at all our schools, therefore, as part of a long-term plan to secure all our schools in the province, the WCED are systematically strengthening security measures at 50 schools each financial year.
In 2006, 109 schools were identified by SAPS and the WCED’s Safe School directorate as being ‘at risk’ during that period. These schools have since received security packages and support from the WCED.
At the end of 2009 it was decided that these schools would form the base of our plan to secure all the schools in the province. An additional 50 schools were selected for the 2010/2011 financial year and received core security packages based on the probability of risks and the hazards identified at that specific school.
I must emphasize that not all of these schools are considered ‘high risk’. The risks and hazards at each of these schools vary with some schools classified as low- to- medium risk schools.
For example, not all the schools had problems with learner violence or gangsterism, some schools had incidents with burglary and vandalism, while others had not yet experienced any major crimes and were chosen as a precautionary measure because of their proximity to hotspot crime areas.
Schools are identified based on a number of factors, including the number of incidents reported to the safe schools call centre and the SAPS, priorities as listed by the district, and crime patterns in and around the area.
The WCED are currently in the process of finalizing the priority schools for the 2011/12 year.
50 schools will be identified in the following districts:
- Metropole East Education District 5
- Metropole Central Education District 9
- Metropole North Education District 7
- Metropole South Education District 9
- Overberg Education District 4
- Cape Winelands Education District 8
- Eden/ Central Karoo Education District 4
- West Coast Education District 4
Once these schools have been identified, the WCED will be making available enhanced security infrastructure at 209 of our schools.
Each of the 50 schools chosen will complete a safety audit and a priority list with their security needs.
The WCED will then make available various security infrastructure such as the installation of alarm systems, the upgrading of existing alarm systems linked to armed response, burglar proofing such as safety gates and razor wire, and hand-held metal detectors for schools.
Of course, we will continue with our zero-tolerance approach to crime, violence and vandalism in all of our schools, and will support, wherever possible, schools that are not on our current list.
We will continue to work with SAPS and encourage communities to take ownership of their schools. The strongest deterrent is community ownership and we will continue to build relationships with all three sectors so that are schools become the safe havens that they are meant to be.
For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey: 072 724 1422 or brcasey@pgwc.gov.za.
Chalkline March Edition - OUT NOW!
The latest edition of Chalkline is out now! Packed with news you can use, loads of extras and our regulars. Get your hand on a copy at your local school or library.
Minister Grant condemns unlawful action
9 March, 2011 |
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| Minister Grant condemns unlawful action Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Education, Western Cape Minister Grant has today condemned in the strongest possible terms the unlawful action of approximately 100 learners and educators from the illegally constituted Simon Estes Music School. |
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