DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CLAIMS IT IS ... READY FOR 2018

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Education has stated that it is ready for the 2018 academic year.

Spokesperson for the department, Geoffrey van der Merwe,s aid that the department has developed a school readiness management plan in preparation for next year.

“The plan includes registration of pupils ahead of the start of the new academic year to minimise disruptions to learning and teaching, procuring Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) ahead of the opening of schools to make sure they are ready for distribution to pupils in the first week of schools re-opening and ensuring that all schools have the necessary teachers for all grades and subjects at the start of the academic year,” he said.

Van der Merwe added that they have already started with the distribution of some books for Grade 10 pupils.

“In terms of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) roll-out plan our focus this year is primarily on Grade 10 literature, Grade 12 Technical subjects and Braille and Large print.

“The warehouse has completed the counting and checking of all Grade 10 Literature and Grade 12 Technical subject stock. The delivery of Grade 10 literature books to schools started on November 27 and is at 95%.

“Delivery of Technical subjects books commenced on December 6. Only six Grade 10 literature books are still outstanding from two publishers and only one Grade 12 Technical book from one publisher is also still outstanding. The key focus areas in the monitoring of LTSM provisioning are distribution of workbooks, textbooks, stationery, the availability of an LTSM inventory, Braille materials and other assistive devices in special schools,” Van der Merwe said.

He added that the department is also on board with arrangements for pupil transport.

“Transport is currently being provided to 25 724 pupils from 267 schools on 400 routes operated by 222 service providers across all five districts in the Province. We can confirm that all 400 routes will be operational when the schools reopen in January 2018. We are engaging with the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison to discuss the migration of this function back to the Department of Education.”

Van der Merwe said that the department has ensured that there is sufficient infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of pupils in the Northern Cape.

“For the anticipated growth in pupil numbers, we are moving mobile classrooms to strategic areas to address the overcrowding. The construction of three new schools in Karos, Greenpoint and Wrenchville will also contribute significantly in this regards.

“The following are some of the key infrastructure deliverables that will be completed during the first quarter of 2018: the construction of 56 classrooms; 36 Early Childhood Development classrooms; new ablution blocks and upgrades to sanitation at 30 schools; and water supply upgrades at 75 schools to ensure facilities meet the minimum suitability standards.”

According to Van der Merwe all schools in the Northern Cape will have access to water, sanitation and electricity.

“We are in the process of procuring a total of 4 470 chairs and 484 desks to identified schools. So far we have already spent more than R6 million on the provisioning of school furniture in schools.”

He confirmed that there will be a team deployed to schools to monitor the opening of schools in 2018.