Hon Speaker, through you, Deputy Minister, there is a proven direct link between the professionalism and performance of a principal and the performance of learners at the school that he or she manages. This country has at least two options to ensure that we rid our education system of underperforming principals. One that you certainly have alluded to was that of competence. You have also spoken about the review that has been called for.
A study conducted by a consortium including the Human Sciences Research Council recommended that competency tests be introduced. These should be completed and passed by any person applying for the post of a principal before appointment to that post can be countenanced.
Secondly, the Western Cape has implemented a performance management system for principals, holding them directly accountable for learner achievement or otherwise at their schools. They must perform or face being managed out of the system. In fact, in January this year Minister Motshekga promised to hold principals exactly so accountable for underperforming schools. She said that if schools' poor performance was found to be due to weak leadership or management, those principals will be demoted. That was in January 2012.
Will the Ministry now consider and implement either or both of these options? If not, why not? Thank you.