A daycare centre in Cape Town, Bizi Babies Play Stimulation Centre, has come under scrutiny after a 16monthold girl suffered a partial amputation of her thumb in April. The Western Cape Education Department recommended enhanced supervision and stafftochild ratios following an investigation into the incident. The event highlights the importance of trust and transparency between childcare institutions and parents, as well as the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring adherence to standards.
Despite challenges and criticism, the Western Cape Education Department is committed to improving education in the province. Praise has been given to the graduating class of 2023 for their determination, and the department is looking to draw inspiration from collaborative efforts in other systems. With an emphasis on social and emotional learning, educators in the Western Cape are gearing up for another year of molding minds and futures. The community’s passion for education serves as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of improvement for all children.
The Western Cape’s Department of Education experienced a marked increase in student attendance following the end of an eightday taxi strike that caused significant disruptions to teaching and learning. At the peak of the unrest, approximately 852,000 students and 17,700 staff members were absent. However, a recent update by MEC David Maynier has revealed that 89% of the total student body, equivalent to 1,074,649 students, have since returned to their classrooms. Additionally, 93% of the school workforce, comprising 52,271 staff members, resumed their duties this week.
The recent South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) strike has posed significant challenges to the Western Cape Education Department. Over 852,000 economically disadvantaged students were unable to attend classes, and 17,000 staff members were unable to report to work during this period. As a result, the department has announced that all schools in the region will return to full operation on Monday.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is committed to nurturing talented leadership in the education sector. To achieve this, the department has introduced a Leadership Academy based within the Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute. The academy aims to provide various training programs, courses, conferences, and seminars to support schools throughout the Western Cape district.
