School evaluations set to begin

THE Western Cape Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA) will begin its evaluations of schools on February 10, education MEC Debbie Schäfer said yesterday.

SEA was established by the Western Cape Provincial School Education Amendment Bill in November 2018.

“It is an independent entity whose purpose is to support school improvement in the province by identifying factors that impact on performance in the areas that matter most for quality education delivery – learner achievement; teaching and learning; behaviour and safety; leadership and management; and governance, parents, and community.”

SEA chief evaluator Karen Bydell began her four-year term on October 1 last year.

“She has now informed me that she has appointed her two lead evaluators and two evaluators so that the SEA can begin its work,” Schäfer said.

Desmond Maarman had been appointed as lead evaluator. He had 37 years experience in education and joined from the Eden and Central Karoo education district, where he had served as district director since 2016. He had a keen understanding of the on-the-ground experiences of schools, having previously served as a circuit manager and circuit team manager.

Barbara Houghton had been appointed as lead evaluator after holding positions as headmistress of Springfield Convent of the Holy Rosary and deputy principal of St Cyprian’s and Harold Cressy high schools. Mervyn Wardle had been appointed as an evaluator, with almost 30 years’ experience in education after holding positions as a deputy principal and school evaluator. George Williams had also joined as an evaluator after 38 years in education.

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