Deputy Speaker, through you to the hon Dudley, the key challenge basically is to ensure that we have a collective agreement that is concluded at the ELRC. In other words, all labour unions should be part of this agreement. The phenomenon of performance agreements is not unique to this country. In America and in Europe there is still a huge debate, and not even an agreement to the incorporation of performance agreements for educators. In fact, there is discussion and discourse in this particular regard and, in my respectful opinion, we have advanced considerably in ensuring that we are able to persuade the unions to agree to performance agreements. So, I think that is a step in the right direction.
The difficulty would be really to ensure consensus, and I do believe that the critical element is basically the implementation of the curriculum. So, the performance of educators must be measured against the ability to implement the curriculum. In order to do so, we would have to look at the outputs and the key performance indicators which indicate whether, indeed, the educator or the principal had done so. The principal, for example, would have to show leadership in the implementation of the curriculum. The principal would have to be able to show an ability to liaise effectively and efficiently with the community. The principal should be able to promote the spirit of democratic governance within an institution. The deputy principal would have similar responsibilities.
The teacher or the head of department would basically have an advisory role to ensure that he or she supports the educators entrusted to that person with the necessary support for development and better management of the curriculum challenges that he or she faces. So, it is very diverse in nature, but at the heart of the performance agreement must be the effective and efficient delivery of the curriculum, which is the core business of the Department of Basic Education. Thank you very much for the opportunity.