Hon Speaker, as I have indicated in my principal reply, the skills that a principal requires would be, amongst others, the ability to govern efficiently and competently, to have the skills for fiscal and financial management, to be able to implement the curriculum, to liaise with the senior management in a democratic way, and to liaise with communities given his or her role and responsibility as a professional leader and manager.
To that end the Department of Basic Education established an Advanced Certificate in Education, Ace, course more than five years ago which looks at these particular areas. More than 3 000 principals and deputy principals have already been beneficiaries of such a course to enhance the capacity.
The discussion and the discourse that is taking place now between the national department and the provinces is whether indeed there should be an additional requirement to being a principal, other than having been a teacher for a particular period of time. It is a combination of experience and skills. That matter is currently under review by the MECs of Education and the national Ministry. I thank you.