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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System --------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 11 Nov 2007 Title: Govt to revive missionary schools --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- Richmond - In an attempt to revive and renew historic missionary schools, the Department of Education has established a project that intends to restore the culture of learning and teaching to these schools. Education Minister Naledi Pandor announced the public-private partnership of restoring African excellence in mission schools, during a centenary celebration of the Ndaleni Primary School in Richmond, Friday. Ms Pandor said that schools like Ndaleni, which are associated with former missionary society, made an important contribution to the success of black children in the past periods of imperialism and apartheid oppression. "Those schools were renowned owing to their proud tradition of supporting learning through commitment of dedicated teachers and communities of parents who supported schools and learners and who expected schools to do well. "Sadly much of this character of school had been lost due to the lowering of standards that accompanied the imposition of Bantu Education on all African schools," said Ms Pandor. She noted that although not all teachers were bad, the true facts are that apartheid produced under qualified teachers for schools in poor communities. "Teachers were poorly trained and then, worse, they received little administrative support from various Departments of Education. "This truth means that, if we are to make a real difference through education, we must directly and boldly use the resources of the state to compensate for disadvantage. "Our Department of Education cannot be slow on this task, we need accelerated action if Ndaleni is to rebuild the culture of success," said the minister. Extending her congratulations to the school on it centenary Ms Pandor reminded teachers and pupils that education is one of the great nationalised industries of the twentieth century. "Before the twentieth century, education was for the few, males only, not provided by the state but by self-help groups and by churches and it's only from the beginning of the twentieth century that substantial state investment in education began worldwide," Ms Pandor reminded pupils and teachers. In recommitting to support the school, the minister promised an installation of a technology learning centre with computers and access in the next few weeks. - BuaNews |
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