Today, it is expected that Umalusi, the Council which sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa, will report back on the November 2018 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams which were written last year. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports that so far, improving learning in primary schools, inclusive education, as well as learner safety at schools were just some of the matters on the agenda.

Among some of the esteemed guests at the gathering is Professor Mary Metcalfe, who will be joining the MEC of the provincial department, Tate Makgoe, as the main speaker.  Metcalfe, an educational expert whose served in government at provincial and national level, touched mainly on what the department should be doing at primary schools, as she says if the problems are solved at a grassroots level, then there will be fewer issues at high school and tertiary level.

This includes ensuring that teachers are trained to be able to lead and develop their learners as well as placing literacy projects and in-house libraries at schools, so children are accustomed to reading so that their level of understanding is improved in various learning areas, including numeracy skills. 

Metcalfe advised Makgoe to focus his efforts on teachers, asserting that “teachers are the key to improving learning outcomes”.  

The lekgotla started on Wednesday 27 February and will end on Friday 1 March.

OFM News