Question NW3671 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

a) The DBE is represented in SACE structures and is part of policy formulation and implementation within SACE. Various interventions have been undertaken in collaboration with SACE to improve the quality of education. These are the following:

1. SACE registers teachers based on meeting minimum qualification requirements. This means that a teacher can only be employed when they meet requirements and will be allowed to practise as a teacher.
2. SACE also works with DBE to ensure that teachers being employed are properly vetted.
3. SACE is managing a code of professional ethics that promotes good professional conduct. Teachers who contravene the code of professional ethics will be held accountable under the code, and their right to practice may be forfeited.
4. DBE and SACE have developed Professional Practice Standards that will inform programmes for initial teacher training as well as Continuing Professional Development.

b) In relation to Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD), the DBE is providing funding to SACE to manage a system of Continuing Professional Teacher Development in line with the policy framework of the Integrated Strategic Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development (ISPFTED). This policy framework allows SACE to approve training providers and endorse training programmes. Endorsed training programmes are allocated professional development points. Teachers who acquire training through an endorsed programme will be credited with professional development points. Teachers are also required to accumulate 150 points over a three-year period.

DBE also convenes quarterly meetings with SACE where discussions around Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) assist teachers with the latest and most recent teaching methods and subject knowledge. 

SACE also participates in various sub-committees of the DBE where issues of teacher support and development are discussed.