Appoint principals who kick butt

IT is encouraging to read that the KZN Department of Education is visiting non-performing local schools unannounced to identify and correct poor management practices (Local schools hit the second term running, ZO of 8 April).

Given the rapid rate at which education standards are dropping in especially rural areas, the efforts of the department to undertake remedial action must obviously be applauded.

In my opinion, however, too much time is spent getting directly involved, trying to flog dead horses to action.

Often the Zululand Observer has written profiles of local principals who succeed in managing rural schools who perform excellently despite a serious lack of resources and financial support.

Therein lies the answer. If against all odds committed principals, teachers and governing bodies can maintain functional schools, then I believe much more attention should be placed on this aspect.

Strategies to get the education system up and running again isn’t rocket science.

Simply ensure appointed principals and teachers are qualified educators of substance and apply strict discipline.

Dismiss lazy and absent teachers without delay, since the rot starts with them.

Go to any of the region’s successful schools and the core reasons for their excellence will be found in the above.

We owe it to the thousands of underprivileged rural children to rid society of useless teachers and managers so that they can at least have some chance of competing against those fortunate enough to afford top class tuition.

GEOFF VAN HEERDEN