The Annual Report 2005/06 of the WCED provides a record of concrete achievements, a record of work in progress and the challenges we still face as we seek to provide quality education for all in the Western Cape.
The period under review has seen:
The Annual Report reflects an energetic department that is setting the standard for innovation and achievement countrywide. The report reflects thorough preparation for the continued implementation of the national curriculum.
But the challenges remain. For example, whilst our 2005 matric pass rate was the best in the country (84.4%) we remain concerned with the high drop-out rate, the low number of endorsements, and the performances of our learners in maths, science and accountancy.
Thanks to our Grade 3 and 6 studies, and other research, we have a better idea of what interventions are required to ensure that more learners in our poorest communities perform at the level required from the National Curriculum.
These are just a few of the examples of how we engaged with the task before us in the period under review. Our schools and officials shouldered an enormous load to achieve what we have achieved, and we need to acknowledge them for this.
However, our organisation is feeling the strain, and this is reflected in some of the findings the Auditor General listed in part 4 of this report. While some of the findings relate to technical issues around auditing processes, we are pleased to note that they do not involve any financial mismanagement, over-expenditure or financial losses.
We are committed to ensure an unqualified report for the 2006/07 year. A vigorous programme is in place to achieve this in line with a resolution of the Provincial Cabinet.
Some findings have identified weaknesses in our systems and we have already taken various steps to address them, the details of which we would make available to Scopa next week.
Meanwhile, the WCED is currently engaged in redesigning the department to ensure that it has the capacity to meet the requirements of the Human Capital Development Strategy, improve service delivery and advance equity.
While any redesign process will not address all our challenges in the short term, it will assist in creating the capacity and organisational culture required to advance towards quality education for all.
We are confident that once our new structures are in place, the department will be even better positioned to provide a Learning Home for All.