Providing education to children is one of the most important tasks of the department of education in Cape Town. The department is responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of schools and supplying children with educational opportunities. It also offers various Postgraduate courses.
Primary school
Whether you are a South African moving to a new town or you are an expat who wants to enrol your children in a school, there are many options available. These include public and private schools, as well as international schools.
These schools cater to the needs of students from two years old to eighteen. Depending on the level of education, they can be called elementary, intermediate or secondary schools.
Most primary schools are co-educational. However, there are some schools that admit girls only from grade one until grade three. These are known as model C schools. They were set up for white students during apartheid, but have since been improved and resourced.
They offer a robust academic curriculum based on the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. They also have an extensive extramural programme. The school teaches English, mathematics, numeracy, science, computer studies, art, drama, music, life skills, design and technology. The school also implements a Conflict and Resolution Education (Care) program, which assesses the emotional well-being of learners.
Postgraduate programmes offered
Whether you are a school teacher or a manager, you can gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education that will allow you to enhance your skills in your field of study. This is a one-year course that will prepare you for professional registration with the South African Council for Educators.
You can also pursue a Masters degree that will allow you to develop your skills in a particular area. These programmes are usually assessed through coursework and a research dissertation. They are designed to help you become a leader in your chosen field. Depending on the course, you may be required to spend two years studying.
The University of the Western Cape offers a wide variety of postgraduate programmes. These include adult education, curriculum studies, and language and vocational education. You can also enroll for a Master of Education.
Districts responsible for management of education
Throughout South Africa, the districts responsible for the management of education are often the only point of contact with educational institutions. They have the responsibility of ensuring that the country’s schooling system meets national requirements. The education system in South Africa is plagued with chronic underperformance and stark inequalities. This has been highlighted in a recent report from Amnesty International.
The report calls for urgent reform of the education system. It highlights the fact that many schools continue to live with the consequences of apartheid. It also identifies weaknesses in the Department of Basic Education.
There is also an ongoing shortage of teachers in the country. In Limpopo, for example, more than nine out of ten nine year olds cannot read for meaning. The report highlights that a strong planning culture should be maintained by the provincial head offices.
Circuits provide advice and specialised facilities
WCED has eight education districts in total, with a healthy nod to the metropolis of Cape Town. Each district has its own set of academies, tertiary institutions, and a number of charter schools. The department has a few nifty acronyms in tow, including the CET, NEIS, the National Institute of Technology (NIST) and the Maritime Institute of Southern Africa (MISSA). A cursory review of the department’s personnel list will reveal a fair share of snarky educators, but not a whole lot of sultry. Fortunately, the department has a large budget, which should help it keep tabs on its teeming ranks.
Crime and violence closely related to alcohol and substance abuse
Across the United States, alcohol and substance abuse are associated with a wide range of violent crimes. Whether it is theft, assault, homicide, or sexual violence, alcohol and drug use are factors involved in a large number of these violent incidents.
When someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he is likely to have poor judgment, which increases the risk of committing a violent act. People who have a substance abuse disorder are more likely to commit crime, especially violent crimes, than individuals with mental illness.
The National Crime Victimization Survey asks victims of violent crimes whether the offender was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. About 59% of the victims reported the offender was under the influence of at least one drug. In addition, 40% of convicted murderers were under the influence of alcohol when they killed another person.
