Question NW1785 to the Minister of Basic Education
31 October 2016 - NW1785
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What steps has her department taken, in line with recommendation 4 of the Report of the Ministerial Task Team to Investigate Allegations into the Selling of Posts of Educators by Members of Teachers Unions and Departmental Officials in Provincial Education Departments, dated 18 May 2016, to regain control of administering the education system in all provinces so that clear distinctions are established between the roles and functions of her department and the concerns of teacher unions?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has not lost over the administration of the education system. However, the Department has recommendations that require short-term interventions and those that could be achieved in the long term. The Department has resumed the following actions on the recommendations that need short term intervention:
1. Performance Management:
The introduction of performance contracts for principals and deputy principals, in line with the DBE policy, in order to enhance accountability of educators. The Quality Management System (QMS) for assessing the performance of school-based educators was adopted at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) in November 2014. It will be implemented in January 2017 after further consultation.
2. Amendment to Legislation:
The starting point of the reforms should be the amendment to the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act, in so far as it relates to the powers of the School Governing Bodies in appointment procedures. A draft Bill has been developed to deal with these amendments.
3. Amendments to current appointment procedures:
Amendment to current appointment procedures contained in Collective Agreements and the role Teacher Unions are being negotiated at the ELRC.
4. Introduction of Competency Assessment for School Principals:
Consultation on the guidelines for Competency Assessment is being finalised at the ELRC.