but that responsibility rests with the Regions
| Although concerted efforts have been made over the past three years to reform the education system, whereby there is decentralisation of education management, there is dire need to continually develop capacity in the various Regions.At least this is according to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, who revealed recently the need for an Administrative Manager in the respective Regional Education Departments, who could oversee the process of the delivery of education.In this regard, he noted that support from Central Ministry is continually directed to the Regions to support this move in every aspect.“We need capacity building as we go along, it wouldn’t happen overnight but we are working to strengthen this overtime.”And given the so-called extreme measures that are being put in place to improve the overall operation of the public education system, Baksh expressed disgust over the fact that some sections of the media have sought to blast the performance of the Ministry, stating that it is not addressing the maintenance of schools.“This is a concern to the Ministry of Education, because we are working towards creating child-friendly environments…this includes better sanitation systems and other factors that are vital for learning to take place, but that responsibility rests with the Regions,” the Minister asserted.He revealed that each respective Region is mandated to take charge of its own maintenance budget and therefore has a major role to play in this regard. And if the Regions find that the monies they are allotted proves to be inadequate, education officials will have to seek to make representation so that the Ministry of Finance can be aware and address such situations.According to Baksh, Central Ministry has on several occasions made representation on behalf of Regions, having recognised that if there is poor maintenance of facilities it will by extension affect the delivery of education.“I have recognised this and that is why we have been working jointly with the Regions. When we hear that sanitation blocks are not working and water systems are not working it is a concern to us, and we do link up with the Regions to look after that and have same remedied.”It was just recently that Minister Baksh had implored regional heads of departments to adopt a results-oriented approach in the execution of their duties so as to negate criticisms from the public.The Minister’s appeal was made at the opening of a one-day workshop with the officials at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). The meeting focused on critical aspects of progress made in meeting key objectives of the Ministry’s 2008-2013 Strategic Plan as well as the challenges and measures that were engaged to overcome challenges.Baksh emphasised the need for effective supervision of the education system and strong leadership on the part of head teachers to ensure programmes are efficient and value for money is attained. He pointed out that while many head teachers have been making concerted efforts to improve the performance of their school, others have not been up to the task in terms of proper supervision and implementation of programmes, despite numerous workshops and seminars on these matters.The attitude of the latter, the minister observed, has been the primary cause of failure of their school to perform at an acceptable standard. Here is where, Baksh said, the respective regional education officials have to “zoom in on the problem” and offer guidance and support to these head teachers, noting that their frequent visits and hands-on supervision of schools will significantly reduce the laxity in the school system.He also stressed that poor performance of students at any given school must be a signal for action thus the need for officials to play their part in these cases.The minister underlined that his ministry has recognised the major challenges in the school system and has implemented measures to overcome them in order to see improvements from the investments made. |
