Madam Chair, hon Minister, hon members, the interim arrangement to create the South African Council for Educators as a statutory body by the inclusion of a chapter in the Employment of Educators Act of 1998 was not the best or most effective manner to deal with the matter. National and international models of professional councils of a similar nature have shown that it can only be effective in its functioning and have the right status and recognition if such council is contained in its own substantial Act.
The placement of this professional council in an employment Act applicable to state educators is very restrictive and undesirable as a model for the profession of educators.
The scope and functions of this council were restricted to the employment of educators at public schools and in public further education and training institutions, and the intention is to get such a council to regulate the whole profession. This means that this Bill extends the scope of this professional council of all educators employed in private or independent institutions in the general and further education and training sectors.
The Bill requires that educators employed in ordinary public further education and training institutions, the early childhood development sector, the adult basic education sector and the education for learners with special needs sector be members of the council. This includes members who represent national associations of school governing bodies and the Council for Higher Education. It also includes members nominated by national bodies representing independent or private institutions.
This Bill makes provision for the functions and powers of the council which range from promoting, developing and maintaining a professional image of the profession, advising the Minister on matters relating to registration of educators, prescription of fees payable to the council by registered educators, to taking disciplinary measures against educators who contravene the code of conduct of the council. The Bill also provides for the furnishing of information by a higher education institution and/or employer of an educator to the council, whenever the council requires such information for the performance of its functions.
The chairperson and the deputy chairperson of the council, and every member and any person appointed as a member of a committee or a panel who is not in the service of the state may, in respect of services rendered by them in connection with the affairs of the council, a committee or panel, be paid by the council all such travelling subsistence and all other allowances. The ANC supports the Bill. [Applause.]