DBE – Northern Cape Education Department
The Department is the responsibility of a Member of the Executive Council who, together with the Premier of the Province, exercises executive authority in the Province as contemplated in Section 125 of the Constitution. The powers of the Executive Council include the implementation of provincial legislation, implementation of national legislation within the functional areas listed in Schedule 4 or 5 to the Constitution and the preparation, initiation and introduction of provincial legislation.
The Premier, in terms of Section 132 of the Constitution, has assigned to the Member of the Executive Council responsible for Education these powers and functions. As such, the Member of the Executive Council is responsible for the functions of the executive insofar as education matters are concerned as envisaged in Section 133.
VISION
A Transformed Quality Education System.
MISSION
To deliver quality public education to all learners of the Northern Cape which will enable them to play a meaningful role in a dynamic, developmental and economic society
National School Nutrition Programme
The National School Nutrition Programme in the NC is committed to provide an effective and efficient service to all learners in public schools through the implementation of an integrated nutrition and food production programme.
The objectives of the Programme are:
- · To contribute to enhanced learning capacity through school feeding,
- · To promote food production initiatives.
- · To strengthen nutrition education for the school community.
SCHOOL FEEDING
Through School Feeding, the Department of Education is attempting to address the plight of needy learners by providing them with a nutritious meal by 10:00am for 196 school days. The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) therefore has three main integrated components namely School Feeding, Sustainable Food Production and Nutrition Education. The Department’s targeting policy is to offer all quintile 1 to 3 primary and secondary schools in the Province the opportunity to apply to participate in the NSNP.
All learners in the schools which apply to participate in the NSNP will be entitled to benefit from the programme (Grades R – 12). Quintile 4 and 5 primary and secondary schools are expected to target and identify needy learners, as funding is limited, due to quintile 4 and 5 schools not being budgeted for in the NSNP Conditional Grant.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION
Sustainable Food Production encourages learners, educators and community members to develop food gardens in schools and use them as living laboratories by integrating them into the curriculum. The Department has embarked on various strategies to implement projects at identified schools with the aim to roll these projects out to all participating schools.
Best school awards: 2024/25
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Best School and District Awards Recognize excellence and hard work by Provincial Department, Districts and Schools in ensuring that the Department achieves its mandate, thus “nourishing young growing minds for learning”.
Application Form
NUTRITION EDUCATION
The aim of Nutrition Education is to promote healthy eating habits and healthy lifestyles in schools and communities. It is through this component that the Programme hopes to be able to reach parents, educators, SGBs, SMTs, school gate vendors, tuck shop managers and interested community members.
Deworming programme
Over 600 million learners are infected with parasitic worms. In South Africa, studies report 40-90% prevalence rates amongst learners. These infections harm their health and development, and can negatively impact on educational and economic achievement both in the short- and long- terms.
The World Health Organisation recommends that school children be dewormed as they are mostly infected with the worms. Through schools, large numbers of learners can be reached. Deworming will also contribute to improved health and educational achievement.
Early Childhood Development (emphasis on Grade R)
The centrality of Early Childhood Development in human resource development of SA, is articulated succinctly in the National Development Plan: Vision for 2030 (2011)” when it declares: “Delays in cognitive and overall development before schooling can often have long lasting and costly consequences for children, families and society. The most effective and cost-efficient time to intervene is before birth and the early years of life. Investment in Early Childhood Development (ECD) should be a key priority.”
The Northern Cape province continues to register major strides in ensuring access to Grade R. Access to Grade R in public ordinary schools has been expanded from 11 406 in 2009 to 18 627 in 2024. Illustratively, in 2014, there were 18 056 learners. This translates into an increase of 571 more Grade R leaners in one year only.
This programme has been allocated a total of R 89, 8 million for the 2024/25, up from R 76, 7 in 2012/13. Funding will increase to an estimated R122m by 2024/25 financial year. As a province, we are currently funding a Grade R learner at 70 % of what we spend on a Grade 1 learner. This is in accordance with the directive of the Norms and Standards for Grade R Funding.
This programme impacts positively on improved learning outcomes and positive results have been registered in the foundation phase already. The significance of having properly qualified and competent Grade R teachers cannot be over emphasised. To this end, a total of 130 Grade R practitioners and 50 Pre Grade R Practitioners within Community Centres are registered with the North West University (NWU) for a Diploma in Grade R i.e. National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 6 which is equivalent to a RQV 13 qualification. This programme runs for three years, starting in the current financial year.
Working in close collaboration with our sister department, the Department of Social Development, we almost completed a database of all ECD (Pre-Grade R) practitioners which indicate their current qualifications. This will inform on-going professional development programmes which will be pursued so as to ensure that our learners are appropriately stimulated for further learning.
The provision of adequate infrastructure, especially double Grade R classrooms is key in ensuring that teaching and learning occur in a conducive environment. These classrooms are customised to suite a Grade R learner assist the teaching to initiate appropriate grade R learning experience. Accordingly, a total of 26 double Grade R classrooms are being constructed in the 2024/2025 financial year. Additionally, the indoor educational equipment will be procures for 30 targeted schools during the current financial year.
The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for 0-4 years old is currently being piloted in 50 Grade R registered Community Based Centres in 2024. The Full implementation of the NCF for public ordinary schools will start in 2024 school year.
ECD Programme
ECD Districts Contact Details
CONTACT US
Provincial Office:
156 Barkly Road
Homestead
Kimberley
8301
Tel: 053-839 6500
Fax: 053 839 6580
Frances Baard District:
9 Hayston Road
Hadison Park
Kimberley
8301
Tel: 053-830 1600
Fax: 053-830 1629
John Taolo Gaetsewe District:
6164 Kgosi Mothibi Road
Mothibistad
8474
Tel: 053 773 9200
Fax: 053 773 1804
Namakwa District:
Corner Phillip & Bree Street
Springbok
8240
Tel: 027 718 8600
Fax: 027 712 1572
Pixley Ka Seme District:
Alpha Road
Happy Vally
De Aar
7000
Tel: 053 632 9200
Fax: 053 631 3250
ZF Mgcawu (Siyanda) District:
2 JG Smith Street
Progress
Upington
8801
Tel: 054 337 6300
Fax: 054-337 6394