Transforming public education in Grahamstown is the enormous responsibility Gadra Education is tasked with in 2014. Tapping into the huge resource represented by Rhodes University students and staff, they should redouble their efforts to organise the city’s parents and support the embattled principals of public schools to achieve this goal.
Transforming public education in Grahamstown is the enormous responsibility Gadra Education is tasked with in 2014. Tapping into the huge resource represented by Rhodes University students and staff, they should redouble their efforts to organise the city’s parents and support the embattled principals of public schools to achieve this goal.
This was the organisation's mandate, Manager Dr Ashley Westaway said at its recent AGM.
Members had expressed satisfaction with the organisation’s accomplishments in 2013, but stressed that its primary mission should be to transform all public education in Grahamstown, with the emphasis on schooling.
The meeting was well attended, mostly by parents of pupils, and Rhodes University student volunteers.
“Gadra Education has been deeply rooted in this community for a long time, and more recently it has begun recognising the massive agency of the Rhodes student population," said Westaway. "So for those two constituencies to have been so well represented at the members’ meeting is very encouraging for the leadership of the organisation.”
He was encouraged by the representation of senior Rhodes University staff at the meeting and said Rhodes was the most strategically important role player in Grahamstown.
Starting with a memorandum of understanding with the Rhodes education department, he hopes to develop a wide range of joint initiatives with the university to address the city's education crisis.
Gadra Education's goals for 2014 and 2015 include placing a greater emphasis on early childhood development; introducing more research capacity in Gadra Education to sharpen its advocacy efforts; working with parents to help them achieve better outcomes in their homes and empower them to challenge the government in meeting its education obligations; and increasing support to principals. Dr Ken Ngcoza was elected as chairperson and Margie Keeton as treasurer.
“The mandate that came from the membership was unequivocal," Westaway said. "We cannot rest until every child in Grahamstown receives a good quality education. And we are currently many miles away from that reality.”
