Analysing the Education System From Within
David, it is worrying to see our education system - the system we've gone though - has been battered over time. Your observation should be a concern for every parent. We know that education is our future, our children are our future. The education system is the MOST important system in the country.
Any change within the system must be backed by proper research and planning. Lack of it has resulted in regression as evident today.
Education leaders and politicians who are responsible for the education to the people have to start asking questions.
They have to find answers to the questions: What can be done to improve the education system from here on? Will the change in structure and curriculum improve the education system? Will the planned phasing out of Gr 8 exams improve standard of examinations? Will the infrastructure developments bring better change? Have we seen an improvement in standard of education through the government's Free Education policy?
David, it is worrying to see our education system - the system we've gone though - has been battered over time. Your observation should be a concern for every parent. We know that education is our future, our children are our future. The education system is the MOST important system in the country.
Any change within the system must be backed by proper research and planning. Lack of it has resulted in regression as evident today.
Education leaders and politicians who are responsible for the education to the people have to start asking questions.
They have to find answers to the questions: What can be done to improve the education system from here on? Will the change in structure and curriculum improve the education system? Will the planned phasing out of Gr 8 exams improve standard of examinations? Will the infrastructure developments bring better change? Have we seen an improvement in standard of education through the government's Free Education policy?
I think there is no magic bullet. The deteriorating education standard we see today has resulted from years of unplanned and ill-advised policies. It is now time to ask ourselves 'what went wrong' and fix it.
Being Specific About What Needs to Be Changed - Positive Change
We need to be specific when we talk about
change. There are many changes going on at the mo. What 'good' change do we
want to see? A good change (in my opinion) that is happening is the curriculum
change OBE to SBE. Another good change also happening (but at a very slow pace)
is government acting on Ganim's Report 12 recommendations. What else needs to
be done to improve the system of education?
Proper Researches and Reviews Must be Happen prior to Changes in Education System
In April/May 2014 a parliamentary committee on education (PRCE) was investigating and reporting on teacher's appointment process, salary & remuneration (leave fares), functions of TSC and NDoE. The review was done at a time when teachers were having problems with leave fares. The government accepted the review and its 12 recommendations in January this year and allocated over K7.8 million to fund its implementation. Having followed development in education closely, I think this is the best thing the govt has done. But, I have yet to see the result on the ground though it has been nearly 10 months since the govt has accepted the review in principle. Here is the link to the stories I have been following http://goo.gl/YkkqzO
Ganim Report Is An Example of a Proper Review
The report recommends:
1. Review of functions and responsibilities of the DoE and Teaching Services Commission (TSC) in the Management of teachers’ salaries and entitlements.
2. TSC to review Teaching Services Act 1988 Section 9.
3. Review of relevant sections of the Teaching Service and Education Acts on appointment policies and procedures with the view to transfer off powers and functions to the Provincial Education Board.
4. Extension of tenure appointment from current three years to five years.
5. Review of ALESCO pay system enabling it to accommodate processing of all salaries and entitlements.
6. Transfer of full ALESCO Pay System and powers to the Provincial Education Board.
7. Payment of teachers’ leave fares direct into their accounts.
8. Annual teacher manpower update to be conducted in the first quarter of the school year.
9. TCS to assume financial autonomy as a separate entity of State as per the Teaching Services Act 1988.
10. Review of policy, process and procedures in the administration of retrenchment, retirement and resignation of teachers.
11. Review of a centralized modern electronic teacher information database that is easily available for provincial education authorities and other relevant stakeholders to have access.
12. Review of the TCS administrative and manpower structural requirements and resourcing the Commission, enabling it greater autonomy to effectively and efficiently administer and regulate powers and functions.
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