The virtual meeting was hosted by the Minister of Department Basic of Education. It was organised by the NECT in collaboration with the National Association of Social Change Entities (NASCEE), a network of the education NGOs, funding partners and individuals who work with the education sector to improve education. Thirty-eight organisations that support education in curriculum delivery, psychosocial aspects, and teacher training took part in the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Mr Sizwe Nxasana, the Chairman of the NECT said: ‘We live in very challenging and unprecedented times and it has been pleasing to see that the government is doing a lot to make sure that the vulnerable and the poor are taken care of.’ He further said that it was important that there should be a briefing session to share information with stakeholders on what is being done and to give people the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.
This meeting followed a commendable, sense of decisiveness, courage and cooperation demonstrated by the State President and the cabinet in the past months. As may be attested by many of us, government’s strategy and its communication have been clear, empathetic and sufficient; more so given the incremental use of African languages during the announcements.
The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize displayed extraordinary leadership – a sense of commitment, effort and the wisdom, particularly his and the cabinet’s embrace of an evidence-based approach which distinguishes us from most nations in the world, and from our own dim historical moments. The singular focus of the cabinet on our people, particularly the poor and less advantaged is commendable.
