Cosas backs schools inspectors

21 May 2009 - 02:00
By unknown

Nthabisang Moreosele

Nthabisang Moreosele

Pupils have welcomed the proposed introduction of school inspectors but teacher organisations are against the idea.

In a dramatic twist the Congress of South African Students yesterday said that inspectors would sort out unruly teachers and principals.

Cosas was responding to a report by the National Evaluation and Development Unit that many schools across the country were dysfunctional.

"The school inspectors would assist the schools. Teachers and principals are very loose," said Antonio Carelse, general secretary of Cosas.

"During apartheid schools were properly managed because inspectors would drop by without notifying the staff.

"We welcome the idea since this will sort out schools,"

The unit, headed by Professor Jonathan Jansen, noted that evaluation failed because schools in black areas resisted external monitors after their experiences with apartheid inspectors who were rude and dictatorial.

Sadtu said they were concerned with measuring outputs rather than improving inputs into teaching and learning.