Pretoria - The transformation of South Africa’s education system requires a sustained focus on the quality of teachers and principals in order to produce quality students, says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Teachers are not the problem. Teachers are the solution to many of our problems,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa on Friday.
He was speaking at the St John’s College funding raising gala dinner in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The school is celebrating 135 years of educational excellence this year.
The Deputy President said the National Development Plan emphasises on the need to improve the quality of teacher training and recruitment.
The NDP identifies ways to empower teachers already in service by improving their knowledge of the subjects they teach, providing training in effective teaching methods, and addressing their working conditions and remuneration.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said there is a need to restore the status of teachers in communities.
“Teaching needs to once again become the favoured profession of capable, dedicated and ambitious young South Africans. In teaching, they need to find fulfilment, opportunity and relevance,” he said.
However, teachers need to lead this effort, according to the Deputy President.
“Teachers themselves need to earn respect. They need to desist from activities that bring their profession into disrepute.”
Through their actions, said Deputy President Ramaphosa, teachers need to restore the integrity and moral standing of the important positions they occupy.
“They should seek to benchmark their performance against the performance of the most outstanding among them.”
Deputy President Ramaphosa said South Africa needs educated citizens, who can compete in a globalised world.
“We need to build a capable generation that is armed with the knowledge, skills, cognitive ability and drive to elevate our productivity and improve our competitiveness. We need a generation that is equipped to build a better society characterised by respect, generosity and integrity.”
This is a responsibility that falls on the entire country, from government to business, labour, educators, learners, parents and communities, he said.
“A school is not built with bricks and cement alone. A school is built with people. It should be a dynamic environment that allows for the contribution of communities, parents, learners and business,” he said.
The Deputy President also applauded St John’s College for producing high calibre professionals, which is living proof that schools can achieve when all stakeholders work together for education.
Former President Thabo Mbeki, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle and former head of the National Prosecuting Authority Vusi Pikoli and current Auditor General Kimi Makwetu are part of the school's alumni.
The college was established in 1879 by Bishop Henry Callaway. - SAnews.gov.za
