• DA KZN Legislature Caucus supports first draft of new bill to establish a schools evaluation authority in KZN
• Bill focuses on heightened transparency, accountability and consequence management in KZN’s schools
Note to Editors: Please find sound bites by Sakhile Mngadi MPL in English and isiZulu
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has taken a significant step toward delivering on its 2024 election campaign commitment, to transform education in the province, with its provincial Legislature Caucus officially approving the first draft of a bill to establish a Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA).
The SEA marks the beginning of a bold new era of accountability and excellence within our province’s schools. It will serve as an independent body to assess school performance, ensuring that quality education is not just an aspiration but a reality for every learner in KZN.
This initiative is rooted in the DA’s firm belief that learners deserve schools that are properly managed, educators who are held to high standards, and an education system that prioritises outcomes over excuses and functions within an environment of transparency and accountability underpinned by heightened consequence management.
For years, too many of KZN’s schools have been failing our children due to poor leadership, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability. The establishment of the SEA is a direct response to this crisis, as promised by the DA in KZN in the lead up to the 2024 national elections.
The SEA will provide transparent, data-driven evaluations of school performance, equipping parents, teachers, parents, and policymakers with the insights needed to drive real improvements at all 6 000 KZN schools.
With the first draft now approved by the DA Caucus, the proposed legislation will undergo the necessary processes within the Legislature to be debated, refined, and ultimately passed into law. As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) we look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.
The DA has always believed that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking opportunity. This step towards the establishment of the SEA proves that we don’t just make promises – we stand by our commitments.