A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

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Operation Fundisa is an initiative of SADTU - Eastern Cape and was adopted by

the Eastern Cape Education Department in 2010 as an instrument which

serves as a guide on how to implement Quality Basic Education in all E. Cape

schools. The term “Fundisa” is an isiXhosa word which means “to teach”.

Operation Fundisa seeks to mobilise resources behind programmes of

education transformation in order to eradicate historical imbalances in favour

of Quality, Equity, Redress and Accessibility of education to all (Operation

Fundisa Handbook, p. 3). Hence, the emphasis of this programme reaffirms the

notion of taking into consideration the ‘’context’’ where teaching and learning

occur. To illustrate the context of Zwide schools, the poor environment where

learning and teaching occurs is evident in the form of dilapidated and

vandalised buildings, absence of READERS for the Foundation phase, broken

windows, temporal structures, lack of toilets, financial constraints experienced

by SMT due to Parents’ how learners will meaningfully understand what has

been taught.

A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

Pag

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Figure 1. Cover page of Operation Fundisa Handbook

A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

Pag

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The Operation Fundisa Handbook was developed to assist schools in

management, administration and teaching and was supposed to be

implemented from 2011 and beyond. However, curriculum changes

necessitated a delay in the roll-out of the programme, thus its launch now in

2012. The handbook outlines specific guidelines on the roles of the different

stakeholders in education regardless of the conditions where learning and

teaching takes place.

Thus, Operation Fundisa recognises key features which are important in the

teaching and learning sphere which takes place at school namely:

1. The role of the teacher and the School Management Team (SMT)

2. The role of the parent in the School Governing Body (SGB)

3. The Role of Secondary stakeholders like Business Partners and entities

like the local Municipality

4. Legal documents which govern Teacher’s conditions of Employment and

Service

A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

Pag

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Operation Fundisa links up with the new Continuous Assessment Policy

Statement (CAPS)as a strategy which can transform the current education

system by putting back some important sections of the syllabus that have been

omitted by the previous education policies, for instance, (OBE) and Revised

National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). In conjunction with CAPS, Operation

Fundisa advocates the need for teachers to go back to the basics of education

where learners were taught the 3Rs to ensure that the rate of illiteracy can

decrease tremendously. However, researched-strategies of learning and

teaching which have been proven to be beneficial have been retained and used

with the choice of using the Home Language in the Foundation Phase as a

medium of Instruction and Learning (LOLT).

The active involvement of the parents in school governance is one of the key

added benefits of Operation Fundisa. Training and scope of parental

involvement in terms of school governance is explained fully in the Operation

Fundisa booklet.

A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

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Operation Fundisa, encourages parents to ask their children to read for them

to ensure that they acquire the expected levels of literacy when compared

with their cohorts in other countries. However, parent illiteracy in

disadvantaged schools is a major stumbling for the eradication of literacy

hence learners are required to go libraries where they can read books in order

to build their vocabulary and knowledge. In addition to that, most areas in the

township have libraries which close early so when the child goes to the library,

the library has already been closed so the little ones in the Foundation Phase

lose valuable support which enhances reading and writing.

Stakeholders like the municipality and business partners are required to form

links with schools so that reading books can be supplied and kept in a secured

facility like an unused classroom. Therefore, together we can do much MORE!

There is no doubt in my mind that the single most important factor for the future of our

country is education. (Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela)

A Synopsis of Operation Fundisa 19 July

2012

Ayanda Simayi: SADTU ZWIDE Education Desk

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