  Foundations for Learning Campaign is launched
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) launched the Foundations for Learning Campaign in the province at the Western Cape Sports School in Kuils River.
In order for South Africa to become globally competitive, we need the requisite skills. Therefore, we need to fast-track the development of literacy and numeracy skills in the primary school. In this way we will increase our throughput rate and improve our pass rate for Grade 12.
As a result, on Saturday, 1 November 2008, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) officially launched the provincial Foundations for Learning Campaign 2008 - 2011, in line with the national Foundations for Learning Campaign, which was announced by Minister Pandor earlier this year.
The theme of the launch was ‘Laying solid Foundations for Learning’ and the occasion highlighted the key messages and requirements of this Campaign, such as the expectations for teaching, learning and assessment; and the roles and responsibilities of education districts, school management teams (SMT), teachers and parents.
Read the press release and download the information flyer
It was an all-out effort to confront the current challenges we face regarding literacy and numeracy pass rates, and to announce our intentions and mobilise all stakeholders.
The MEC
 Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape, participated in the launching of the provincial Foundations for Learning Campaign. “We want to ensure that we all do the basics right and build on those basics to develop quality teaching and learning in our schools.”
He said the emphasis must be on effective planning and teaching and clear understanding of assessment.
Read the MEC's speech
Minister Naledi Pandor
 Education Minister Pandor, who was the keynote speaker at the event, unfortunately had to cancel due to her presence being required at a budget meeting with Mr Trevor Manual. Minister Pandor had launched the National Foundations for Learning Campaign earlier this year. Her speech, in which she referred to the Government Gazette of 14 March 2008 in which the expectations for teaching and learning in the Foundation and Intermediate Phases have been set out, was delivered by Mr B Schreuder. She called on all principals in the Western Cape to set targets for their schools and to design strategic plans to motivate their teachers and learners to attain these targets.
The Unions
During the lunch the teacher unions pledged their support and their commitment to working together to produce quality learning and teaching. They included SADTU - Jonovan Rustin, NAPTOSA - Mogamad Waheed, SAOU - Johan Groenewald and CTPA – David Faroo.
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Jonovan Rustin, SADTU |
Mogamad Waheed, NAPTOSA |
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Johan Groenewald, SAOU |
CTPA – David Faroo |
Official from the WCED
 Ms Sindy Lingela, Deputy Director-General: Institutional Development & Co-ordination, Programme Director, in her spectacular dress, enthusiastically led the programme.
 Mr Ron Swartz, Superintendent-General, said that the fact that people were willing to sacrifice their Saturday morning to hear and learn more about education was a positive indicator. Read the SG's speech
Mr Brian Schreuder, Deputy-Director General: Curriculum Management, in addition to reading Minister Pandor’s speech, delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks eloquently. He explained how the Foundations for Learning campaign dovetails with the Western Cape Education Department’s Strategy and how they feed into and from each other.
The Exhibitors
The Publishers’ Association of SA, ADDESSA and SMILE IDEM provided corporate gifts and valuable information at their exhibitions in the marquee. Other WCED directorates, Khanya and Quality Assurance provided much needed support to the educators.
The Curriculum Planning Directorate, together with the assistance of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Project Manager, was responsible for the excellent organisation, and for ensuring that the focus was on professionalism and educational issues.
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