Question NW3668 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

(1)      What are the relevant details of the current national priorities stipulated in the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme of her department;

The National Priorities are drafted from subject priorities submitted by provinces and approved by Heads of Provincial Education Departments;  the new subjects that the department is introducing in the sector respond to the sector priorities and respond to challenges that are being addressed by the education sector, - eg. Foundation Phase: Grade 4 learners not reading for meaning, 

Foundation Phase	Intermediate Phase	Senior  Phase	FET  Phase
Foundation Phase (with preference for speakers of African Languages). •Braille •South African Sign Language (SASL) •Neurodevelopmental Needs	Preference will be given for a teaching major in two of the following: ·Languages ·Mathematics ·Natural Sciences & Technology ·Braille ·SASL ·Neurodevelopmental Needs	Preference will be given for a teaching major in two of the following: ·Languages ·Mathematics ·Natural Sciences ·Technology ·Braille ·SASL ·Neurodevelopmental Needs	Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Technology Civil Technology Computer Applications Technology Electrical Technology Engineering Graphics and Design Information Technology Languages Life Sciences Mathematics Mechanical Technology Physical Sciences Technical Mathematics Technical Science Braille SASL Neurodevelopmental Needs

(2) whether she will review the specified current national priorities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The National Priorities subjects are determined annually, this is based on attrition (retirement, resignations, relocations, promotions) statistics per subject offered by those leaving the department, emergent subjects introduced in the sector, and issues that the department wants to address, e.g., currently, DBE wants to address challenges in the foundation phase. This gives the Funza Lushaka Programme  influence in the supply of teachers in Foundation phase, to ensure that these are relevant.