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THE WCED FOCUS SCHOOLS

THE WCED FOCUS SCHOOLS. Why are we doing this?. Ikapa Elilhumayo - Western Cape provincial government strategy allocated R49 million for this project Human Capital Development - towards empowerment, skill development, responding to economic needs, encouraging career pathways

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THE WCED FOCUS SCHOOLS

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  1. THE WCED FOCUS SCHOOLS

  2. Why are we doing this? • Ikapa Elilhumayo - Western Cape provincial government strategy allocated R49 million for this project • Human Capital Development - towards empowerment, skill development, responding to economic needs, encouraging career pathways • Redress - increasing access • Increasing quality – towards excellence • Focusing resources: human and material • Encouraging learner retention, learner success

  3. What exactly is a focus school? • Secondary schools that offer a focused range of subjects. • They offer all the FET subjects in a particular learning field.

  4. Definition • They are schools ofexcellence, • at the forefront of curriculum development and best practice, • with the highest quality human and material resources and equipment, • utilised optimally to benefit the learners and the education system. • They will be leaders in their field

  5. Two types of focus schools 1.Those that receive specific departmental start-up support to ensure curriculum redress 2. Those that provide their own resources but seek recognition as a focus school.

  6. How were schools selected? • Geographical spread across the province • Serving previously disadvantaged learners • Accessibility (transport routes, hostels) • Enthusiastic, committed principal, SGB and teachers with potential for taking the lead

  7. Success factors 1. Excellent school management 2. Excellent specialised teachers in the focus field subjects 3. The ability to attract learners with interest, aptitude or talent in the focus field

  8. How do we achieve excellence?

  9. Excellent School Management • Financial accountability • Ring-fenced funds • Planning for sustainability, partnerships • Timetabling for success (specific timetabling requirements, extending the school day) • Attracting and developing lead teachers • Resource management • Marketing • Effective behaviour management systems

  10. Excellent Teachers • Excellent, enthusiastic, specialised teachers in the focus field that: • have appropriate teaching qualifications and experience • promote innovative learning and teaching strategies • are willing to work a longer school day • are willing to mentor and train other teachers • can cope with languages and other learning barriers

  11. Focused Learners • Attract learners from the whole EMDC with interest, enthusiasm, aptitude or talent in the focus field • Entrance requirements in Grades 8 and 10 (fair, transparent, open)

  12. Some Additional Posts • For 2006, 21 new posts have been set aside for focus schools, three per EMDC. • These posts will be allocated in terms of curriculum redress to extend the range of subjects offered by schools in disadvantaged areas • EMDCs and Head Office will investigate and decide where to allocate these posts • Some of these posts may be shared posts • Schools must increasethe numbers in the subject to be entitled to more posts in the future

  13. Phasing Out of Subjects • To become a focus school, it will probably be necessary to phase out subjects in some schools • This is a phased approach including re-training where appropriate, natural attrition or choice by teachers to make a planned move • By 2008, focus schools must offer all the subjects in their focus field

  14. Focusing On Your Field • Focus schools will be successful if they focus on their field, offer high quality tuition and achieve excellence, so that learners compete to be accepted. • Parents already send their children long distances to access the subjects and quality of education they desire.

  15. Process • Nominated focus schools have submitted Business Plans. • The next step is to submit a detailed Project Plan by 18 November for consideration before the ministerial launch on 28 November. • Funds will be transferred to schools in phases on final approval of the Project Plan. • Funds must be transferred by March 2006 and spent within 2006.

  16. And finally • Diarise Monday 28 Nov from 18:00 for ministerial launch of the focus school project • If you are building, appoint your architect without delay • Khanya will assist schools with the procurement of ICT equipment • Budget for professional development of teachers and for marketing your school • Get to know your fellow focus schools – support each other • Budget for the focus field only e.g. not to fix your bakkie or build a fitness centre/canteen

  17. Thank you.

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