The issue now of blaming each other about the condition of education in South Africa, I think it has long overdue. Yes, the state of education in Eastern Cape and some other poor provinces it’s appalling. However, blaming teachers, SADTU, department, ANC, parents, apartheid, etc, will not assist us. ****
** ** Let us all confirm that we are the dead end now. Beginning to do comparisons of provinces will not take us a country forward but will divide the people of South Africa further. It does not matter whether Gauteng or Western Cape is the best performing province or what, what matters, is how are we moving forwards the goal of the country? **** ** ** In fact what is the goal of the country? **** ** ** Chapter 9 of the National Planning Commission Vision 2030; Draft Plan is; *Improving Education, Training and Innovation*. The opening paragraph reads as follows, “*Education, training and innovation are central to South Africa’s long-term development. They are core elements in eliminating poverty and reducing inequality, and the foundations of an equal society. Education empowers people to define their identity, take control of their lives, raise healthy families, take part confidently in developing a just society, and play an effective role in the politics and governance of their communities”*. This Paper puts a lot of future desires as it seeks to present what must be achieved by 2030. **** ** ** Good Lord, this planning paper is saying *“By 2030, the schooling system is **characterised** by learners and teachers who are highly motivated; principals are effective managers who provide administrative and curriculum leadership; parents are involved in the schools their children attend; schools are accountable to parents; committed and professional teachers have good knowledge of the subjects they teach; schools and teachers are supported by knowledgeable district officials; the administration of education (including appointment and disciplining of teachers) is the preserve of the government, with unions ensuring that proper procedures are followed; learning materials are readily available; basic infrastructure requirements are met across the board; and high speed broadband is available to support learning”.* Fine, then where will that take us as a country? **** ** ** I think as a country, we need to look at the things that make education to what it is, which mainly to me is *content of curriculum with economy* and *a singular infrastructure*. I think all other issues, come second to these. Our government has said to have put aside lots a Billions for education. That is good, now let’s build a nation. **** ** ** However, what should preoccupy our mind is, is the education system of our country speaking to our economy and needs?**** * * *Content of curriculum and the economy direction* The kind of education content presented should directly be in line with what we are about as a country. The content must talk to our vision of unity at all disciplines. Currently, our country is characterized by extremes of individualism which I think in many ways contribute to collapse or decay in certain areas. The main focus of the content of education should be about the mission of the country. Kids from the early childhood, at least they should be aware of the values of South Africa and the importance of unity and collectivism. In that way, as they grow up, they will be aware of the need to working together as people. *Working together, we can do more**. * ** ** Subsequent to that, the education should look at the economic objectives and the skills needed to get to the envisaged level. For example, there a lot of graduates in biblical studies who are just seating at home. The reason it’s because there a few theological institutions. And the same could be said about teachers. Likewise, with the mathematics and science story, why must we produce a pull of scientists and engineers who will end up fighting and killing each other for space in the economy? **** ** ** Therefore, we must look at the need for courses which speak directly in the desired destination. Thereafter, realign the education systems existing into speaking to each other. For example, if we could develop from early stages of schooling, a particular number of disciplines and then move from there, that would be better. **** ** ** What I mean, is that from Grade 6 maybe, children should be arranged into various academic disciplines according to the potential they have shown in the early childhood. From there, grow up in those fields systematically and programmatically, and by the time they reach Grade 12 level, universities will not be in a crisis of having to take people who “*so called not belonging to university*”, as it has been sadly said nowadays. Then everyone would have been modeled to the right direction as required by the country’s economy. **** ** ** The government should be able to know how many engineers, scientists, artisans, etc, build an economy. Even it must be able to know as to, for them to have such engineers, they need so much engineering expects who have the ability to produce knowledge (lecturers). This therefore means, the content of education across the board, should be realigned as well to what the country needs. Why study about Bartholomew Dias, King George and Noah’s arch, instead of studying about how to build our country like how the Japanese and the Chinese have done? **** ** ** This kind of education will make people of South Africa to be conscious and therefore responsive to the needs of the country and will also limit extreme levels of poverty and inequalities. **** ** ** *A singular infrastructure* Therefore, having managed to change the content of what is meant to be studied in our country, we need to look at the infrastructure development. As we have managed to revamp the Further Education and Training Sector (FET’s) which are somewhat more technical, we must then build even high schools with the similar machinery. **** ** ** The challenge amongst others for many young people at university entry is not being able use technology sufficiently. The current education system infrastructure is 2 worlds apart and it doesn’t speak to one another. For example, most of the schools in the previously disadvantaged areas do not have labs, fields and developmental facilities which then disempower children when they are reaching levels of university. **** ** ** Currently there are about 50 FET’s and 6 Universities of Technology but then who many high schools do we have which are having similar infrastructure? This infrastructure should be able to talk to the needs of the system and of the economy. This development of infrastructure is cardinal on the basis of equipping future articles with skills and technical practice. **** ** ** In this manner would be able to have an education model that is responsive the directly involved in the development of economy and mankind. I think, already we have done some strides but we need to consolidate this education which will make us one country and a country with the same vision. All citizens of the country will have role to play and they will all be in a position to contribute to the growth of their own country. **** ** ** *Sive Gumenge – SACP Jack Simon Branch & ANC Bellville North Branch member and MTech student at CPUT (writing in my personal capacity)* ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** -- *Mr. Sive Gumenge* *Western Cape* *0768945800* -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
