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NAPTOSA ConferenceQuality Education

Quo Vadis

Presenter: Dr Muavia Gallie (PhD)

University of Pretoria - Faculty of Education

24 July 2009

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Content1. Introduction;2. Quality Education;

- How relevant is the QE debate?- Three Steps approach to QE- Quality and Equality- Creating a bridge between Quality andEquality

3. Thinking beyond the Obvious- Quality teacher to Equity schools- 10 Untruths in dysfunctional schools

4. Conclusion

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Introduction• Classroom teacher, HoD, Principal of a secondary

school - going on in schools;• Taught in ‘township’ - 15 years;• Schooled in Worcester - rural life;• Prov. & Nat. professional development officer -

professional needs of teachers;• Senior member of SADTU for 10 years - unionism;• Director of SACE for 7 years - ethics and

professional development of the profession;• Part- and full-time lecturer at UWC, Wits & UP -

theoretical and practical debate;• Policy making process for 15 years - policy terrain.

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Focus of the Conversation

Teachers

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2. Quality Education

• Google- National and provincialparliament,- Ministers to MECs of Education,- Presidents of unions,- Deans of Education Faculties;

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2.1 How relevant is the QEdebate?

• 1,2 Mill learners in Gr1 - 0,55 millin Matric (only 45%);

• 66% of Matrics passexamination;

• 1/3 leave with certificate worthyof presentation;

• Only 10% success-rate.

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Success rate = 8,1%

•Success-rate of the system = 8,1%•Of every 12 learners starting GradeOne, only 1 learner attains what thesystem is promising them - data 2005!

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Different Perspectives

Understanding the situation well

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Where are we now?

20% (5%)

50%30%

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Logistics of Teaching and Learning

School ReadinessComponents

30%

Teaching40%

100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%10%20%30%

Current Academic YearPrevious Year

Learning50%

Assess-ment10%H

FSLF

SD

FS

School ReadinessComponents

30%

School ReadinessComponents

30%

Teaching30%

Teaching20%

Disrup-tions10%

Assessment20%

Learning for Assessment

20%

Learning20%

Disruptions& Chaos

20%

Learn-ing

10%

90%

50%

30%Time-on-Task

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QE Conference - 2002

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Striving towards QE

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2.2 Three Steps approach to QE

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2.3 Quality and Equality• Quality for Whom?- Raise standards of High Achievers -

Economic Imperatives;- Raise standards of Low Achievers -

Economic league table;- Raise standards and opportunities for

particular groups - girls, rural, etc.;- Raise standards - Transformation

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2.4 Creating a bridge betweenQuality and Equality

3 Essential elements for framework• Core service must fit the purpose;• Physical surroundings (context) in

which the service is delivered;• Service relationship between those

who provide and those who receive(shared plan)

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Inter-related network

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3. Thinking beyond the Obvious• We can do it!• I know so, because I am a living example;• And so are the majority of you in the

audience;• We come from such challenging

circumstances;• Trick - to multiply our success 10, 100, 1000,

10 000, 100 000, 1 000 000, …• Two pronged approach!!

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3.1 Quality teachers to Equityschools

• Quality teachers - those looking atchallenging conditions as opportunity, notdeficit;

• Not easy, but need mental strength;• About ‘saving’ one learner at a time;• Learners to achieve at 3 levels;- Socio-economic and Political achievement;- Personal achievement;- Academic achievementEfforts need to be tripled, not equal!!

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3.2 Ten Untruths in Education

1. Democratic decision making in schoolscreate a conducive school tone or culture;

2. Parent involvement is crucial;3. OBE approach is resource intensive;4. Resources (computers and libraries) will

make all the difference;5. The Dept. is not supporting teachers and

therefore they are de-motivated;

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3.2 Ten Untruths in Education

6. Lack of learning is caused by the ill-discipline oflearners;

7. Our classrooms are overcrowded - smallclasses will make the difference;

8. It is difficult to achieve learner success inpoverty stricken communities;

9. Learners are not at the level they should bewhen they get to our schools (no pre- or nurseryschool; can’t read and write)

10. Teacher development will solve most of ourperformance problems.

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4. Conclusion• Only teachers can turn around this

situation;• It is about us saying and doing:- I can make a difference;- I will make a difference;- I want to make a difference; Starts with getting the 8 School

Readiness Components in place!!

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1. Attendance (both teachers and learners);2. Know and understand our teachers;3. Know and understand our learners;4. Do proper Annual Planning and implement;5. Have workable Timetabling and use

teachers effectively (not favouritism);6. Quarterly Teaching Schedules keeping us

accountable every day;7. Supportive Organogram for accountability;8. Teaching and Learning Support Material for

every learner and teacher on first day.

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You can’t dothings differently

until you seethings differently.

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Essence of being a Teacher

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ThankYou!!