ICT to reform basic education claims Motshekga

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has agreed, through the Council of Education Ministers, to improve the use of ICT in basic education and set standards for maths, science and literacy. Image: GCIS

"We have come to the determination within the sector that information and communication technology (ICT) is crucial to improve the quality and efficiency of the education system, including administration, e-learning and teacher training," she said.

Addressing the media in Pretoria after a CEM meeting, Motshekga said issues of connectivity will be looked into to use ICT in schools.

The Basic Education Department used the council meeting to present a progress report on a revised Maths, Science and Technology (MST) strategy, which sets out clear targets for increasing the selection of mathematics as a subject by learners.

Motshekga said the MST office is now fully operational and the department is working on ways to better use its resources to benefit MST education.

Motshekga said the department is busy developing standards, business processes and sector plans for grade specific curriculum management and support.

More encouragement for maths, science

"This is to ensure that all the deliverables are executed in an efficient manner within the given time-frames that ensure accountability at all levels of the sector," she said.

Motshekga said they would also continue to cultivate a reading culture in learners to improve literacy skills such as reading and writing.

She said her department is developing reading and writing standards that will provide guidelines on the quantity of writing to be done per grade and what is expected in terms of reading ability.

"A plan is also being developed to improve library services in schools, with a specific focus on the Eastern Cape and Limpopo because of the lack of existing services in those provinces," Motshekga said.

Plans are underway to ensure that every child has a textbook in every subject per grade. The department has also started a process of profiling all teachers within the system.

According to the Minister, 75% of teachers have been profiled in terms of their professional information, subjects taught and subjects qualified to teach, among other information.

She said the Funza Lushaka graduate allocations for provinces and districts for 2015 have also been sent to provinces for placement. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme that promotes teaching in public schools.