Department of Education Justice & Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee March 2008

Analysis of education in “reform schools” & “schools of industry” currently Schools devolved to PEDs but no clear policy directives White Paper 6 ( Inclusive Education) refers to these schools and need to work with DSD but no specific directives Provincial Education Departments responded differently to management of these schools

Children’s Amendment Act Gazetted 18 March 2008 Facilities at all reform schools and schools of industry must be transferred to DSD within 2 years - Clause 196 (3) –Constitution and other legislation indicates processes –Audit of infrastructure at all schools undertaken in 2007 (NIEMS) –DoE Planning Branch tasked to assess implications and to develop draft plan for transfer to take place so that discussions with DSD can begin –MEC: Education will need to sign MoU with MEC: DSD (W Cape has signed MoU) Provincial DoE must provide education to children in all child and youth care centres –DoE to determine policy/regulations re norms and standards for provision of education, including funding –DoE to monitor provision of education

Child and youth care centres White Paper 6 – all learners must be taught in accordance with the National Curriculum Statement, but with appropriate adaptations in respect of barriers to learning –Barriers may be physical, psychological, emotional, socio- economic, etc –Draft guidelines have been developed for adaptation of learning programmes, have been field tested and are currently being reviewed –Strategy for Screening, Identification, Assessment & Support field tested in and approved by Heads of Education for implementation in all special schools as from 2008 – determines kind and level of support to be provided to the learner for him/her to access curriculum –Special literacy and numeracy recovery programmes are being investigated to address illiteracy of older learners in centres –Use of ICT programmes, where appropriate and available

Child and youth care centres Provision of education to learners in child & youth care centres includes: –Curriculum –Assessment & Exams –Learning & Teaching Support Material –Progression & promotion of learners –In-service training of teachers –Support from subject and management officials –Supply of teachers??

Child and youth care centres Nomenclature of schools to change now that CAA has been gazetted Data regarding learner statistics to be improved with new learner tracking system

Safety issues High priority issue in DoE but extent of issue is questioned National School Governing Body Forum – safety is priority issue Design of all new schools adapted to ensure learners in eyesight of teachers at all times All schools: –School safety policy and plan –SAPS crime profile for schools –Crime Stop Programme –Police have adopted schools –Discipline programmes developed

Safety issues Priority schools identified in respect of safety –High crime in community –Reports from schools Interventions –Programmes with SAPS and other Govt Depts & NGOs –Conflict management courses –Anger management courses –Metal detectors –Cameras & security guards

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