Minister Grant Kicks off the 2012 Educator Training Programme | Western Cape Government

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Minister Grant Kicks off the 2012 Educator Training Programme

29 January 2012

Media Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Education

One of the major focus areas for the WCED this year is to improve the teaching skills of our educators by providing to them various training and development programmes throughout the year.

As indicated in our planning calendar for the 2012 school year, the WCED have scheduled a number of training programmes and workshops that will be compulsory for educators. For example, dates for literacy and numeracy training for the Foundation and Intermediate Phases, as well as CAPS training and meetings.

There are also a number of other training programmes and meetings on offer that are optional courses to meet specific needs, such as ICT proficiency, special needs education, training for aspiring school principals, literacy and numeracy workshops and subject-specific training for various grades.

The 2012 training programme kicks off today at the Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI). The institute's main aim is to enhance the professional development of educators especially in managing and implementing the curriculum.

This year's programme begins with a three week training programme in both Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase Mathematics. There are 50 participants in each of these courses.

The mathematics courses will focus specifically on content knowledge and methodology. Educators will be given the opportunity to improve their skills in various areas such as multiplication, addition, subtractions, measurement and geometric patterns.

The aim of this course is not only to improve their knowledge but to also improve the quality of mathematics teaching practice in the classroom.

Given the latest numeracy and mathematics test results, released two weeks ago, it is important that our educators improve on these skills in the foundation and intermediate phases.

The educators taking part in the course are required to take a mathematics test on the first day of the programme, and are again tested three weeks later to determine and evaluate the success of the programme and how each educator has improved their skills.

The majority of the educators in this programme is from schools in rural areas and will be accommodated in the CTLI hostel for the duration of the course.

Tomorrow, the CTLI will also begin a two week Head of Department (HOD) Programme. 50 School Heads of Departments from around the province will take part in this programme, which will look closely at the various roles, functions and responsibilities HODs have such as developing an understanding of their legal responsibilities and curriculum imperatives and needs, how to assess and utilise relevant institutional data, and to develop the ability to implement a Multi-Level Subject Program across a phase. The HODs will also receive training on how to 'cope' in challenging times.

The participants in today's courses are all nominated by the various districts, based on their local needs and circumstances.

I am very proud that we have placed educator development at the top of this year's education agenda.

The courses mentioned above are just three of the over 50 formal and intensive courses on offer at the CTLI this year, aiming to provide training for over 4 600 educators. (Approximately 600 more than last year) This is over and above the CAPS training and literacy and numeracy training the Department offers.

Where the formal CTLI courses are presented during school hours, the WCED pays for a substitute in the classroom to ensure that teaching and learning is not disrupted. No teacher is allowed to participate unless there is a substitute in the classroom. The CTLI is the only institution allowed to train during school time.

Media Enquiries: 

Bronagh Casey
Spokesperson for Minister Grant
Cell: 072 724 1422
Tel: 021 467 2377
E-mail: Bronagh.Casey@pgwc.gov.za