I gave 39 years of my life to teaching. I always wanted to be a teacher. Over the weekend I listened to a matric student thanking retired progressive teachers for their contribution to education.
This matric student, who achieved over 85 % in her September 2022 exams, mentioned that she is going to become a teacher. My heart skipped a beat. I am sure down the years I will read her contribution to teaching. Her name is Naseera Emandien.
The Education Department should be elated that top students want to go into teaching and therefore they have to look after teachers.
If I was the education minister or provincial head of education I would immediately implement the following:
– I would be open to the problems teachers face in their schools. My attitude certainly would not be ‘I am the boss and therefore you listen to me or I will act against you’. Although Helen Zille was part of the hierarchy that dismissed me from teaching I must say that when she was Education MEC in the Western Cape she was understanding of the plight of teachers and listened to the problems teachers faced. It is a pity that she has changed her stance of being sympathetic to the plight of teachers.
– I would revolutionise the Labour Relations Department. If teachers are not working in their classrooms I would certainly insist that they change their ways but when it comes to teachers challenging ‘uneducational’ policies I would be open to debate this. Our educational system will improve if the minister and HOD are open to criticism. Their present handling of the Heathfield High situation reveals their educational and political immaturity. I would have met with the various role players and reinstated Mr Neumann. I would not have been prepared to spend R2.7 million to persecute an innocent teacher. If they reinstated Mr Neumann would it be the end of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)? On the contrary, the community would applaud them. It is not too late to reinstate Mr Neumann.
– I would be fighting for the appointment of more teachers and non-teaching staff at our schools. I certainly would not adopt the stance that there is no money. The WCED has to give back the money it did not spend (R32m in the past financial year).
– I would see that our schools are upgraded regularly as far as the physical state of their buildings is concerned.
– I would see that compulsory extra-mural activity takes place at the schools.
– I would make it possible for adult education classes to take place at schools.
– I would see that the sports fields are maintained.
– I would attend meetings with teachers in various regions to get first-hand information about the problems facing them. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to set the sails going as we build the education system. Less bureaucracy and more progressive education will see us progress rapidly.
* Brian Isaacs obtained a BSc (UWC) in 1975, a Secondary Teacher’s Diploma in 1976, BEd (UWC) in 1981, and MEd (UWC) in 1992. He is a former matriculant, teacher and principal at South Peninsula High School.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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