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SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION IN MEETING ITS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2011/12 Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education 22 November 2011 Parliament, Cape Town. INTRODUCTION.
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SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION IN MEETING ITS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2011/12 Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education 22 November 2011 Parliament, Cape Town.
INTRODUCTION The Second Quarterly Report on the performance of the DBE in meeting its strategic objectives for 2011/12 is presented in the context of the following significant activities: • The key event in this period has been the signing of the NEDLAC Accord on Basic Education and Partnerships with Schools by leaders of organised labour, Business Unity South Africa, community constituencies present in NEDLAC and the Minister of Basic Education on behalf of Government. • Another key development by the end of the quarter was that the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) Grades R-12 had been gazetted as national education policy. • Final preparations for the 2011 Grade 12 Examinations.
PROGRAMMES OF THE DBE The Annual Performance Plan summarises the priorities of the DBE as aligned to the Delivery Agreement of OUTCOME 1: Improving the quality of Basic Educationand the Action Plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025 . The activities of the DBE have been structured into five programmes as elaborated in the Annual Performance Plan: • PROGRAMME 1: ADMINISTRATION • PROGRAMME 2: CURRICULUM POLICY, SUPPORT AND MONITORING • PROGRAMME 3: TEACHERS, EDUCATION HUMAN RESOURCES AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT • PROGRAMME 4: PLANNING, INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT • PROGRAMME 5: EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT SERVICES
PROGRAMME ONE: ADMINISTRATION The purpose of Programme One is to manage the Department and provide strategic and administrative support services. SUB-PROGRAMMES • Legal and Legislative Services • Media Liaison • International Relations and Multilateral Affairs • Provincial Support and Delivery
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The number of internships implemented for unemployed graduates in the department • The DBE has implemented 30 internships throughout all Branches. These interns are being equipped with the skills and competencies of the workplace so that they could be appointed permanently when posts become vacant or take up similar posts in other departments. • The number of training/ professional development opportunities for DBE officials • The DBE has organised professional training for 94 officials. These courses have been identified for officials according to their skills gaps as well as their personal requests based on their performance assessments (PMDS). • The percentage of court cases successfully resolved • Legal Services has provided legal advice and opinions on all the matters sent to the directorate, and six out of 12 cases have been successfully resolved. The remaining six are still in court and there are prospects of winning. • Compared to the previous quarter, the number of court cases and other correspondence dealt with has increased by 15%.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The number of basic education legislation drafted and signed into law • In terms of the internal legislative processes, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill is 100% complete. • The unit drafted the NEEDU Bill. • The Regulations in terms of section 38A of SASA have been published for comment and the comments have been received. • The number of multilateral co-operation agreements being implemented • See 2nd Quarterly Report.
PROGRAMME ONE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS: • The DBE has started a process of internal reconfiguration to ensure that the Department meets its strategic intent as far as improving the quality of basic education and attaining the goals of Action Plan to 2014. • In terms of policy formulation for internal HR policies, the DBE has finalised the leave policy as well as the subsistence and travelling allowance policy. • The DBE has successfully implemented the Improvement in Conditions of Service (ICS) increases for all employees and adjustments to salaries were made in September. • The DBE received a number of queries. 70% of these queries have been successfully addressed and those cases that are pending have been referred to Provincial Education Departments for resolution as these queries are matters of provincial competence.
PROGRAMME ONE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS: • A presentation was made to newly appointed ambassadors at DIRCO on 23 August 2011. The purpose of the presentation was to brief the ambassadors on the DBE, its objectives as well as on Action Plan 2014. • Draft agreements on cooperation with China and Serbia are being negotiated. • Agreement has been reached with the Japanese Government to send an education expert to assist the DBE in curriculum development in the area of mathematics and science for a period of two years.
PROGRAMME ONE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE SERVICES: • Policy development support was provided for the following : • Learner Pregnancy Regulations (draft). • Legal advice on the LTSM (submission, evaluation and adoption of LTSM). • National Guidelines for School Library and Information Service. • The NEEDU Bill was presented at the HEDCOM meeting of 29 and 30 August 2011 and at the CEM meeting of 22 September 2011.
PROGRAMME TWO: CURRICULUM POLICY, SUPPORT AND MONITORING The purpose of Programme Two is to develop policies and programmes to support and monitor the implementation of the national curriculum policy and support programmes that enhance curriculum outcomes in the basic education system from Grade R to 12. SUB-PROGRAMMES • Curriculum Implementation and Monitoring of Grade R to 12 • Curriculum and Quality Enhancement Programmes • Kha Ri Gude Literacy Project
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The number of Subject Advisors trained in the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements Grade R to 12 • 2 474 subject advisor have been trained. A total number of 336 Foundation Phase district officials were successfully orientated to the changes implied in the CAPS documents. • The percentage of textbooks and workbooks available among learners • The National Catalogue of Textbooks for Grades 1-3 and Grade 10 has been developed and disseminated to provinces to procure textbooks for the implementation of CAPS in 2012. This will ensure that all learners and teachers have the necessary textbooks for learning and teaching. • A total of 24 million Grade 1-6 (Volume 1 and 2) language and mathematics workbooks were printed and delivered to 18,854 public primary schools in nine provinces for the 2011 school year. A total of 12 million Volume 2 workbooks were delivered to all schools by 29 July 2011 for work to be covered from August to December 2011. • The number of textbooks and workbooks available to registered Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign learners • No milestones to report on.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The percentage of library and information services available to learners. • There are 5252 ordinary schools in South Africa that have centralised libraries. Other schools use classroom libraries, mobile libraries and community libraries to glean information. The department has developed the National School and Information Services Guidelines which provides different model options of library and information services which will enable schools to ensure that all learners have access to information services. • The number of districts with at least one educator who has received specialised training in the identification and support of special needs. • No training has taken place due to the implementation of the CAPS process in 2012. • The number of full-service schools with at least one educator who has received specialised training in the identification and support of special needs. • No training has taken place due to the implementation of the CAPS process in 2012. • The number of special schools with at least one educator who has received specialised training in the identification and support of special needs • No training has taken place due to the implementation of the CAPS process in 2012.
PROGRAMME TWO : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • The School Realities 2011 confirms that a total of 707 203 learners were in Grade R in 2010 and 1 177 089 learners are in Grade 1 this year. This means more than 60% of Grade 1 learners currently in the Public Ordinary Schools and Independent Schools have had access to a formal Grade R programme offered in schools. The target for Grade 1 learners to have had access to a formal Grade R programme is 72%. • A total of 12 million Volume 2 WORKBOOKS were delivered to all schools by 29 July 2011 for work to be covered from August to December 2011. • The Kha Ri Gude campaign reached a high point in the 2011/12 financial year when it was awarded additional funding through an incentive grant from the Expanded Public Works Programme. The campaign was able to reach an additional 32 922 learners over and above its baseline target of 615 600 learners. Also of importance is that it created 4 334 work opportunities for unemployed youth.
PROGRAMME TWO : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • The National Catalogue of Textbooks for Grades 1-3 and Grade 10 has been developed and disseminated to provinces to procure textbooks for the implementation of CAPS in 2012. This creates an enabling environment to ensure that all learners and teachers have appropriate textbooks for learning and teaching. • There are 5 252 ordinary schools in South Africa that have centralised libraries. Other schools use classroom libraries, mobile libraries and community libraries to access information. The department has developed the National School and Information Services Guidelines which provides different model options of library and information services which will enable schools to ensure that all learners have access to information services.
PROGRAMME TWO : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements were approved by the Minister by the issuing of Government Gazette No. 34 600 on 12 September 2011. Subject advisors have been trained and materials supplied to provinces in order to train teachers. Implementation thereof will be incremental, commencing with Grades R, 1, 2, 3 and 10 in 2012.
PROGRAMME THREE : TEACHERS, EDUCATION HUMAN RESOURCES AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT The purpose of Programme Three is to promote quality teaching and institutional performance through the effective supply, development and utilisation of human resources. SUB-PROGRAMMES • Education Human Resource Management • Education Human Resource Development Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME THREE : NUMBER OF TARGETS Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME THREE PERFORMANCE ON SECOND QUARTER TARGETS Strategic Planning and Reporting
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The percentage of schools where the allocated teaching posts were all filled. • Monitoring the rate of vacancies on a quarterly basis and reporting to HEDCOM and CEM has proven to be helpful for PEDs to manage vacancies and filing of posts. This information has also provided the Minister and Senior Management with the different levels of vacancies in each school in each district per province together with amounts when visiting Provinces and addressing Districts. The vacancy rate improved from 10.3% in May to 0.9% in June. • The percentage of learners who are in classes with no more than 45 learners. • The Framework and the Strategy on recruitment and placement will contribute to ensuring that schools do not have classrooms with more than 45 learners per classroom. • The percentage of school principals rating the support services of districts as being satisfactory. • The target that will be tested at the end of the financial year through a survey. The department is presently preparing the districts to provide acceptable minimum service to schools through the Guideline on Roles and Responsibilities of Education Districts.
PROGRAMME THREE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • The number of qualified teachers aged 30 years and below entering the public service as teachers for the first time in 2011 is targeted for the second quarter of the academic year 2011 at 2 000. This number fell short by 352 new entrants below the age of 30 years entering the system for the first time. • A total of 1 326 Funza Lushaka bursaries were awarded in the quarter. The cumulative target of 7 000 bursaries set for the end of the second quarter has been exceeded, with 8 068 bursaries awarded to date. • A total of 2 263 schools were visited by external IQMS moderators during the second quarter. Underperforming schools in all provinces were targeted during the 1 332follow-up visits conducted. The external moderators were able to observe the lessons of 98 educators in their classrooms. During these visits, moderators were able to provide support on the IQMS implementation in particular as well as the quality of teaching. Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME THREE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • Two ELRC Task Teams that were established to work and refine employer proposed evaluation instruments on the Teacher Performance Appraisal System (TPAS) and Education Management Service: Performance Management and Development System (EMS: PMDS) for Principals and Deputy Principals as well as office-based educators, completed their work on 31 August 2011. Both Task Teams submitted their recommendations to a Special Bargaining Council meeting of 13 September 2011, which were accepted by all parties to the ELRC. The Secretariat was requested to identify dates for a marathon round of negotiations. Once the EMS process is finalized, the department will be able to enter into performance contracts with principals/deputy principals. Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME THREE : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • In the teacher development Provincial reports submitted indicated that an estimated 84 393 educators participated in development activities in this quarter in Foundation Phase Literacy and Numeracy, FET Mathematics, Science, Accounting and Technology subjects. • Monitoring the rate of vacancies on a quarterly basis and reporting to HEDCOM and CEM has proven to be helpful for PEDs to manage vacancies and filing of posts. The vacancy rate improved from 10.3% in May to 0.9% in June. Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME FOUR: PLANNING, INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT The purpose of Programme Four is to promote quality and effective service delivery in the basic education system through monitoring and evaluation, planning and assessment. SUB-PROGRAMMES • Information Management Systems • Financial and Physical Planning • National Assessments and Public Examinations Strategic Planning and Reporting
PROGRAMME FOUR : NUMBER OF TARGETS Strategic Planning and Reporting
SECOND QUARTER TARGETS : PROGRAMME FOUR PERFORMANCE Strategic Planning and Reporting
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • Annual National Assessment. • A SACMEQ country report was developed and six policy briefs drafted. The data collection process for the TIMSS study was completed. • The user specifications and technical design specifications of the enhancement of the ANA data capturing system were signed off by DBE for implementation by the State Information and Technology Agency (SITA). • The number of Grade 12 learners who become eligible for a Bachelor’s programme in the public national examinations. • The registration of candidates for the 2011 NSC examination has been finalized and an audit of the provincial registration data bases was conducted by the DBE. The State of Readiness of the PEDs to conduct the 2011 NSC examination has been completed and a consolidated report has been presented to HEDCOM on 29- 30 August 2011 and CEM 22 September 2011. • The percentage of Grade 1 learners who have received formal Grade R. • A funding request aimed at securing additional funding for implementing an amended funding model within the revised Grade R policy framework was made to National Treasury.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The percentage of schools complying with a very basic level of school infrastructure. • An implementation plan for the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative was approved by National Treasury, The third transfers of the Education Infrastructure Grant were transferred to the provinces on 15 September 2011. • The percentage of learners in schools that are funded at the minimum level. • In order to enable the Minister to publish revised national targets for school allocations and determine quintiles which may not charge school fees, provinces have been requested to provide information on their provincial budgeting for school allocations for the 2012/14 MTEF. • The percentage of schools that have acquired the full set of financial management responsibilities on the basis of an assessment of their financial capacity. • No milestones to report on. • The percentage of 7- to 15-year-olds attending education institutions. • No milestones to report on.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED ON ANNUAL TARGETS • The percentage of children who turned 9 in the previous year who are currently enrolled in Grade 4 (or a higher grade). • This indicator is part of an outcome goal whose activities appear under other goals. • The percentage of children who turned 12 in the previous year who are currently enrolled in Grade 7 (or a higher grade). • This indicator is part of an outcome goal whose activities appear under other goals.
PROGRAMME FOUR : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • The DBE monitored the state of readiness of the PEDs to conduct the 2011 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination . The registration of candidates for the 2011 National Senior Certificate examination was finalised and an audit of the provincial registration data bases was conducted. All 260 question papers required for the 2011 NSC November and March 2012 examinations were approved by the UMALUSI. • A team of 67 School Based Assessment (SBA) moderators were deployed to selected districts across all PEDs as part of the ongoing initiative of the DBE to improve the quality of SBA. • The process of conducting a qualitative item analysis from the Annual National Assessment (ANA) written in February 2011 at grades 1-6 learners in literacy/language and numeracy/mathematics was presented to the Minister on 6 September 2011 and CEM on 22 September 2011. The analysis was based on learner scores from individual items to help the system identify where teaching and learning challenges lie.
PROGRAMME FOUR : SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • In preparation for the next cycle of Annual National Assessment the process of test development commenced in July 2011. Test developers developed test prototypes for grades 1-6 and these were submitted for moderation. Two sets of each test in each of literacy/language and numeracy/mathematics were completed during the two-week period. • A funding request has been made to National Treasury to secure funding which will ensure that provincial education departments will be able to fund all no-fee schools at the same level and offer certain fee charging schools to be voluntarily declared and funded as no fee schools. • Monitoring and evaluation of provincial budgets was conducted to ensure that funds are utilized according to the budget allocation. An analysis of the budget and expenditure of the PEDs was done on a monthly basis.