NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2764
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29/2011)
Mr J J Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) (a) What is the status of the assessments of the 27 000 schools
referred to in the Presidentâs State of the Nation Address in
2010 and (b)(i) which schools have been assessed and (ii) what
are the outcomes of these assessments;
(2) whether there are any action plans in place to deal with
underperforming schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details? NW3226E
Response:
1 (a) Assessment was conducted in 18 000 schools in February
2011. (b) (i) Schools with grades 1-6 had all their learners
assessed. (ii) Firstly, the outcomes show that learner
performance in our schools is still low and not where we want it
to be. Secondly, an important outcome is that the assessment has
helped the Department identify specific areas of performance
that require focused interventions.
2) Yes. The Department is putting together a comprehensive
intervention plan to assist underperforming schools in
preparation for beginning the 2012 school year in the areas of
a) providing teachers with appropriate competencies for teaching
literacy and numeracy more effectively, b) empowering principals
to focus on increasing the effectiveness of teaching and
learning as a key priority in their management activities, c)
providing the schools with appropriate teaching and learning
support materials, particularly in the critical areas of reading
and numeracy.