Pretoria - Education Minister Naledi Pandor is to consider the recommendations presented in a report, by the Ministerial Committee, which aims to evaluate and develop schools to ensure they function better.
The National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (Needu) Report, which was released on Tuesday, aims to advise the minister on the mechanisms through which independent evaluation and development of schools could be undertaken.
Some of the recommendations made by the committee included monitoring teaching and learning outcomes including the support provided to schools.
The unit's scope, the committee recommended, should include the entire schooling system, including independent schools as well as the functionality of the district and provincial offices.
"The unit must also provide the minister with authoritative, analytical and accurate accounts on the state of schools in South Africa and in particular on the status of learning and teaching," the committee said.
The unit, which is outside of the department but accountable to the minister, would be responsible for the independent evaluation and development of schools including teachers.
According to the committee, the unit is also expected to monitor, evaluate and report on all public schools over a cycle of years against national norms and standards.
"The unit will further ensure coherence and synergy of its own tools and processes with existing instruments and processes such as the Integrated Quality Management System, Systemic Evaluation and Whole School Evaluation," the committee said.
Minister Pandor said she will consider the recommendations in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and will make an announcement in due course.
