On 28 September 2011, approximately 400 NGOs were invited by the WCED (Western Cape Education Department) to attend a meeting at Livingstone School to discuss how NGOs and the WCED can work together in 2012.
Superintendent-General and Head of Western Cape Education, Penny Vinjevold, outlined the three strategic goals of the WCED:
• to improve literacy and numeracy in primary schools
• to increase the number of children who pass the NSC (National Senior Certificate) and improve the quality of those passing results
• to reduce the number of underperforming schools
Vinjevold spoke about the WCED's improvements and its key focus areas for 2012. She welcomed suggestions on the WCED’s budget spending, and on better tactics to deploy the education department’s officials. (Her powerpoint presentation is available to those who wish to view it)
Chief Director of Districts WCED, Linda Rose, sent a strong message when she spoke about the importance of protecting teaching time in the classroom. The new curriculum, CAPS, will ensure that every teacher's time is more focused. It will also give clearer guidance on what will be taught when. It was so rewarding for us to hear Rose mention the Shine Centre when she spoke about 'best NGO practice.'
