Question NW4195 to the Minister of Basic Education

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14 December 2015 - NW4195

Profile picture: Ollis, Mr IM

Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)(a) When last did school inspectors from (i) her department and/or (ii) the Gauteng Department of Education (aa) visit and (bb) inspect schools in Alexandra, Johannesburg since they were allegedly chased away from the specified schools by SA Democratic Teachers Union members, (b) which schools were inspected and (c) what reports were produced in each case; (2) whether she will provide Mr I M Ollis with the copies of the specified reports for (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015; if not, why not; if so, on what date will the reports be provided; (3) what steps will she take if school inspectors are again prevented from visiting schools in Alexandra?

Reply:

(1) (a) When last did school inspectors from (i) her department and/or (ii) the Gauteng Department of Education (aa) visit and (bb) inspect schools in Alexandra, Johannesburg since they were allegedly chased away from the specified schools by SA Democratic Teachers Union members, (b) which schools were inspected and (c) what reports were produced in each case;

[The response below is provided from a Whole School Evaluation perspective]

  1. (a) Neither the Department of Basic Education (DBE) nor the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), have school inspectors that visit schools for the purpose of inspections. However, there are trained Supervisors who conduct Whole School Evaluation (WSE) to evaluate school effectiveness in terms of the national goals (WSE Policy, 2001) and operate from Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).

Furthermore, the DBE deploys trained School Improvement Support Co-ordinators who work with and through districts to support schools. School evaluations are also conducted under the auspices of the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU).

During the period in question, the GDE did not report of WSE supervisors being prevented from doing evaluations at schools.

(b) Realogile Secondary School, which is located in Alexandra, was evaluated by WSE supervisors from 7 to 10 September 2015.

(c) After each evaluation, an individual school report is generated identifying good practice, areas for development and recommendations for interventions. These reports are presented to the school, and the District Office for support purposes.

(2) Whether she will provide Mr I M Ollis with the copies of the specified reports for (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015; if not, why not; if so, on what date will the reports be provided;

(2) No reports will be provided. The WSE school reports are confidential and are not released into the public domain.

(3) What steps will she take if school inspectors are again prevented from visiting schools in Alexandra?

(3) Not applicable.

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