WCED briefing on 2024 admissions process, state of school readiness & 2023 NSC performance

Meeting report

The Chairperson reminded everyone about the upcoming public hearings on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill and informed the Members of their travel plans for the following week. She also provided feedback on the requests received from stakeholders regarding presentations they wish to give to the Committee. She requested the Members to introduce themselves, particularly acknowledging the presence of a new permanent Member.

She asked Mr David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education and Mr Brent Walters, the Head of Department (HOD) of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), to introduce their delegation, with the Minister beginning with opening remarks. The session would then proceed directly to the presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The Minister greeted everyone present and expressed his pleasure at briefing the Committee on the province's matric results and school readiness. He highlighted positive trends, such as increased pass rates and retention rates, particularly in quintile 1-3 schools. Despite challenges, such as budget cuts impacting infrastructure programs, he noted successful efforts in admissions, with 99% of grade one and grade eight applicants placed. He also drew attention to a recent provisional additional allocation of R2.5 billion for the Rapid School Build program, emphasising its significance amidst budget constraints. He concluded by handing over to the Department for further presentations.

Admissions and School Readiness Update 2024
Mr Walters said that Mr Alan Meyer, Chief Director: Districts, WCED, would begin by addressing the current status of grade one and grade eight admissions, including those already placed and those in progress. Mr Meyer would cover aspects of school readiness, such as learner transport, teaching materials, and infrastructure updates. Following this, there would be a brief report on activities and developments during the school holidays. Mr Haroon Mohamed, the Director-General of Curriculum, would then provide an update on the National Senior Certificate, discussing the profile of the class of 2023, exam logistics, improvements in results, subject performance trends, and the detailed analysis provided to schools for enhancing pass rates.

Mr Meyer provided an overview of the admissions and school readiness status over the first two months (January and February 2024). This encompassed updates on admissions for 2024, progress on online and manual applications, challenges faced, and school readiness aspects such as transport systems, textbooks, infrastructure, and security issues.

Mr Meyer delved into enrolment statistics for 2024, detailing the number of learners in grade one and grade eight, as well as the progress in placing learners still in the process. He highlighted challenges, including late applications and instances where learners were not yet placed due to parental dissatisfaction with initial placements.

Moving on to application processes, Mr Meyer discussed ongoing submissions and utilising both online and manual methods. He highlighted the efficiency of the online system in tracking applications but noted continued late submissions. He mentioned initiatives like pop-up centres to facilitate registrations and highlighted efforts to accommodate late applicants.

Regarding school readiness, Mr Meyer provided updates on learner transport, learning materials, and infrastructure delivery. He detailed the distribution of textbooks and furniture to schools and progress in constructing additional classrooms. He also discussed initiatives to support learners with special needs and efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources in school infrastructure.

Mr Meyer addressed security concerns, reporting on incidents of vandalism and burglaries during school holidays. He discussed measures taken to mitigate these issues, such as increased security presence and school lockdown procedures. He noted a decrease in incidents compared to previous years, attributing it to improved security measures.

The Chairperson thanked the presenter and suggested proceeding with the second item on the agenda to allow for all questions to be addressed during the question-and-answer session.

See attached for full presentation

National Senior Certificate Update 2023
Mr Haroon Mohamed, Chief Director: Curriculum Management and Teacher Development, WCED, said his presentation would start with a profile and description of the cohort, followed by results and analysis, and ending with plans for 2024 and beyond. (see attached presentation for full details).

He highlighted the impact of COVID-19 and load shedding on the cohort, particularly noting challenges faced in certain subjects, such as Computer Applications Technology (CAT), due to power outages affecting homework and study. Mr Mohamed explained changes made to assessment requirements and subject requirements in response to COVID-19, including rotational attendance. He noted that the cohort had not been fully exposed to standardised assessments and examinations in grades 10 and 11.

Moving on to examination size and marking details, he discussed increasing enrolments since 2015. He provided information on competency tests, staggered marking, and the number of markers across different categories.

Regarding the overall results of the NSC, Mr Mohamed reported an increase in candidates passing the full examination, with improvements in bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and certificates. He highlighted strong performance in mathematics and physical sciences, with the Western Cape being the best-performing province in these subjects.

He discussed subject-specific pass rates and criteria, noting areas of improvement and decline. He also provided insights into the retention rate of candidates and efforts to address underperformance in certain subjects and schools.

Mr Mohamed outlined renewed plans for 2024 onwards, stressing the use of detailed data for school performance analysis and risk identification. He discussed strategies for supporting underperforming schools, early identification of at-risk learners, and targeted teacher professional development programs.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Back on Track program for mathematics, utilisation of resource materials, and career awareness to inform subject choices. Mr Mohamed also mentioned the provision of subject-specific support packages and tips for exam success to learners.

In conclusion, he reiterated the importance of data-driven interventions, ongoing support for schools and teachers, and monitoring of progress towards improving overall performance.

See attached for full presentation

Discussion
The Chairperson thanked everyone and announced the process for the question-and-answer session. She stated that she would begin by taking questions from the first three Members, allowing each Member to ask three questions. Then, she would open up another round of questions. She acknowledged the hands raised by two Members and indicated that they would be the first to ask questions, in the order they were raised.

Mr K Sayed (ANC) was thankful for the presentations and raised two main questions. Firstly, he inquired about the 22 displaced learners who applied online on time, seeking clarity on their locations and their progress in ensuring their educational needs were met. Secondly, he addressed the issue of coordination between the Department of Human Settlement Development and the Department of Education infrastructure planning, highlighting a potential gap in synergy between the political heads of education and infrastructure. Mr Sayed sought information on any existing conversations or plans to align these areas more effectively and ensure better coordination at both political and official levels.

Mr F Christians (ACDP) highlighted the issue of learner placements, particularly in areas like Mitchells Plain, where learners struggle to be placed in schools close to their homes. He cited an example of a learner who was placed in Ottery despite living within walking distance of Cedar High School in Rocklands. This mismatch between school placements and proximity to learners' homes leads to financial strain on families who cannot afford transportation, such as South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries. Mr Christians requested clarification on the percentage of learners placed in schools near their homes and the Department's approach to addressing this issue.

Secondly, Mr Christians expressed concern about difficulties parents face when visiting district offices, particularly in Mitchells Plain, where security guards allegedly prevent them from accessing the offices. He suggested that there may be communication issues or challenges in reaching Department officials by phone, leading to frustration among parents seeking assistance with learner placements.

Lastly, Mr Christians brought up the long-standing issue of learner transport, which he noted has been a topic of discussion in the State of the Province Address (SOPA). He mentioned receiving emails indicating that children are missing school due to the lack of adequate transportation. He requested an update on the progress of addressing this issue and expressed concern about the Department's responsiveness to queries related to learner transport.

The Chairperson confirmed that her question regarding the Vleiplaas education transport issue had been submitted through the normal Committee system process, with assistance from the Procedural Officer. She thanked Mr Christians for raising the matter and requested the Minister and Head of Department to allocate the questions accordingly for responses.

Responses
Mr Walters directed questions to Mr Meyer, asking him to prepare answers regarding the transportation issues, unplaced learners, and the issue of children placed at schools that are not near their homes. He also mentioned the renewal of a bus contract to facilitate travel for learners in the suspended area. Mr Walters addressed the gaps in planning between Department of Human Settlements and school capacity, highlighting the discrepancy that sometimes arises when actual settlement patterns exceed planned capacities. He requested Mr Meyer to provide further insights into these matters.

Mr Meyer said the 22 grade 8 learners who applied on time for placement were spread across different districts, with the majority in the Metro South District. He mentioned that these learners have been assigned places in schools, with efforts made to accommodate their preferences for proximity to home. Regarding the issue raised by Mr Christians about learners living close to schools but not being placed there, Mr Meyer explained that it often depends on when the learners applied for placement and whether the school had already filled its available slots. He also noted that a bus route between Mitchells Plain and Gateway High School, Ottery, Cape Town, is in the process of being renewed to facilitate transportation for learners in the area.

Mr Meyer provided an update on the situation regarding Vleiplaas Primary School learners. A meeting was held with stakeholders, during which parents expressed satisfaction with their children's accommodation at the hostel provided by the school. Dangerous road conditions and associated daily transportation costs were significant concerns for parents. He highlighted the presence of a local community member working at the school as a coach and providing support to the Vleiplaas Primary School learners. Mr Meyer discussed the review process for transportation contracts, indicating that routes are evaluated annually. He mentioned efforts to prepare a hostel at a nearby school for learners, which would potentially eliminate the need for daily transportation.

Mr Meyer said there was a stakeholder meeting to focus on the current housing arrangements of students, particularly within the school's hostel. Parents present conveyed satisfaction with the hostel facilities in Herbertsdale. One parent said their child was staying in a private residence in Herbertsdale instead of using the hostel, questioning the necessity of transportation.

Mr Meyer underscored safety concerns associated with daily transportation between Vleiplaas and the school due to hazardous road conditions. Parents affirmed the hostel's adequacy in catering to students' needs, expressing overall contentment with the arrangement. The Vleiplaas community member who is working at the hostel serves as a vital link between parents and the school.

Communication received the following day focused on learners from Sunset Valley who are currently being bussed. Discussions also covered the annual review of bussing contracts, including considerations for their continuation. Additionally, there was talk about preparing another hostel for occupation by January 2025, potentially reducing the need for daily transportation. Mr Meyer said he was ready to address any further comments.

Ms Heather van Ster, Chief Director: Districts, WCED, acknowledged the concern regarding learners missing school due to transportation issues. She highlighted a special arrangement made for Vleiplaas learners, where they received both hostel subsidies and transport bursaries, contrary to the usual policy of either-or. Recognising the importance of family contact, especially for younger learners, it was agreed that they would receive a return trip home every two weeks, in addition to the hostel subsidy.

However, she noted a flaw in organising these trips to Vleiplaas, where they were not logically arranged. Instead of splitting the return trip between Friday and Monday, it was recorded as one trip on Friday, leaving the transport unavailable the following Monday. Ms van Ster emphasised the need for a more coherent scheduling approach to ensure that learners are transported home on Friday and back to school on Monday every two weeks, thereby addressing the issue of missed school days.

Follow up discussion
Mr Christians requested a copy of the minutes or report regarding the Vleiplaas issue, appreciating the Department's detailed explanation. This information is needed to engage with the concerned individuals effectively, suggesting that it be emailed to the Procedural Officer for further interaction.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Christians for his input, concurring with his request. She suggested obtaining a copy of an attendance register or similar documentation to ensure clarity regarding the parents' perspectives. The Chairperson then turned to Mr Sayed for a follow-up question.

Mr Sayed inquired about the existence of catch-up plans for the Grade 8 learners who were yet to be placed in schools. He raised concerns about the practicality of placing learners in schools that might not be accessible due to distance, particularly for parents facing unemployment and financial constraints. He sought clarity on the measures or strategies in place to address such scenarios.

Responses
Mr Walters requested Mr Meyer to address both questions raised. Regarding the first question about the placement plan, Mr Meyer explained that, unlike some other provinces, the Western Cape does not have specific zones or catchment areas for school placement. Parents have the freedom to choose any school they prefer, and the Department aims to place learners where spots are available. Ideally, they try to accommodate preferences for schools closer to home, but it was not always possible due to capacity constraints. In cases where learners need to travel long distances to attend their chosen schools, the Department may consider providing support if there is sufficient capacity. However, creating a universal plan to address all individual circumstances is challenging.

On the second question about catch-up plans for Grade 8 learners awaiting placement, Mr Meyer provided an update on the measures taken for Grade 8 learners awaiting placement. Booklets for Grade 8 learners have been printed and are available at district offices for collection by parents and learners who are still unplaced. These booklets cover languages and mathematics. Additionally, schools are prepared to accommodate learners who arrive late with additional support, managed at the individual school level. Schools have catch-up plans in place to support learners who may have missed classes for various reasons.

Addressing the issue of learners being placed far from their homes, Mr Meyer clarified that the situation is often the opposite, with space available in areas like Grassy Park but not in Mitchells Plain. Plans are in motion to utilise vacant classrooms in schools in Grassy Park to accommodate learners. Despite efforts to place learners closer to home, it's not always feasible, especially for late applicants. The Department keeps records of placement attempts and considers alternative options only as a last resort, such as offering spaces at schools like Gateway High School. Mr Meyer gave the assurance that an application for learner transport to Gateway High School has been submitted and will undergo the necessary internal processes. Mr Sayed should provide details of any learners requiring transport assistance if needed.

Mr Christians raised concerns about the lowest pass rate at Crestway High School, which he found shocking given previous improvement plans discussed during visits. He commended the Department for the Back on Track program, noting its positive impact on learners, such as those at Geldavlei (sp) High School. He emphasised the importance of addressing the needs of learners who cannot be placed near their homes. Mr Christians promised to forward the learner's name to Mr Meyer for transport assistance to Ottery.

The Chairperson also asked Mr Christians to inform the Procedural Officer so that she could document the queries to ensure their resolution.

Mr Walters noted that while Crestway was mentioned, it was not the only school performing below 60%. There are 31 schools in that category. Senior management teams, including himself, met with all these schools and their circuit managers to analyse the matric results and provide feedback on individual questions. Mr Walters said they would visit each of these 31 schools for two-hour sessions starting from March 2024 to discuss ways to improve results. He emphasised that education is not a straightforward path, acknowledging that children react differently to various factors. He assured the Committee that schools like Crestway would receive attention and assistance to improve their outcomes, with efforts starting earlier this year. He stressed the importance of individual learner decisions in achieving success and noted that some learners may realise the importance of education post-matric.

The Chairperson thanked everyone and asked if there were any new or follow-up questions. Seeing none, the Chairperson said that Mr Mohammed is retiring at the end of the financial year. She expressed gratitude for his long service to education and the WCED, particularly for his role in establishing the Back on Track programme. She wished him well in his retirement, hoping he enjoys the best life offers and remains in good health.

Mr Sayed also wished Mr Mohammed well, thanking him for his years of service. On a lighter note, he expressed hope that they would hear more from Mr Mohammed on the airwaves of the radio, discussing sports and other issues.

Mr Mohammed thanked the Chairperson and the Members, acknowledging their support. He emphasised that any achievements were only possible through the collaborative effort of the team. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of the process.

The officials were excused while the Committee continued with its internal business.

Ad hoc Matters
The Chairperson provided updates and logistical information regarding the BELA Bill. Posters for the upcoming public hearings have been forwarded to Members for dissemination to respective community members. The Chairperson highlighted various ways for the public to participate, including attending public hearings, making written submissions, and using an online submission form created by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Information Technology unit. Members were reminded of the travel plans for the first public hearing on Monday, 26 February 2024, and the schedule for the following week's hearings in Beaufort West, Plettenberg Bay, George, and Mossel Bay. The travel plan details were sent to Members.

The Chairperson said the Federation of Associations of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS) had requested a briefing with the Committee. The Committee itself had made resolutions on briefings from National Treasury and the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on costing. Dates for these briefings were being identified, and engagement with the programming authority was planned to confirm them.

The Cape Home Educators and Professor Adam requested a different slot for the Muslim community observing Ramadan on 4 April 2024. To accommodate this, Members were asked to be present at 3:00 PM for the public hearing in Cape Town, allowing for an earlier slot for submissions.

Lastly, Members were reminded to liaise with the Procedural Officer for transport arrangements for community days, and to do so promptly for orderly procurement. The Chairperson welcomed questions on logistics at this point.

The Procedural Officer provided updates on the logistical preparations for the upcoming events. She mentioned that an updated travel plan indicating the hotels for accommodation would be sent to Members, along with the advert for circulation. All necessary arrangements for the following week were in order, including booking halls and sending out invitations to all schools, districts, municipalities, and other stakeholders. The Public Education Outreach team assisted in contacting stakeholders on the ground, and posters were distributed to make the event visible. Additionally, the Procedural Officer had received over 200 submissions via email and around 30 to 40 submissions via the online form and WhatsApp number.

The Chairperson expressed appreciation for the high level of public participation in the upcoming events, especially compared to other technical legislation.

Mr Christians agreed with the earlier start on 4 April 2024 and apologised for his unavailability due to prior commitments for the first week of public hearing sessions.

Mr Sayed inquired about the practical logistics of arranging transport for members of the public.

The Procedural Officer requested that the contact information of those attending the Beaufort West and Plettenberg Bay public hearings be provided as soon as possible. She explained the need to finalise transport arrangements promptly and hoped to receive the details by early the following morning to ensure timely processing. For the George and Mossel Bay hearings, she requested the information to be sent by Friday, 23 February 2024. Members were urged to send the details to her directly via WhatsApp or call.

The Chairperson then inquired if there were any further inputs from the Members. In the absence of any additional inputs on the logistics, the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.