Policies and Advocacy
Impact: Owners and schools are informed on policy developments in the country
Advocacy forms a vital part of CIE's work. It takes place at a variety of levels with a wide audience. CIE aims to develop advocacy skills and use these to engage and facilitate change at different levels in the education system. The publication Shout Out was developed to help schools to advocate for their rights.
To download the "Speak out! Advocacy mini-guide," please click here.
Policy Development
A Child Safeguarding Policy has been developed on behalf of CaSPA. This policy will be implemented in South African Catholic Schools. CaSPA agreed that the 2012 theme will be: Care for the Child, Our treasure, Our future, Our responsibility. A workshop, materials and the campaign are currently being developed by CIE.
Advocacy
National and regional staff engage regularly with the Department of Basic Education and provincial education departments. CIE monitors policy change and has a collaborative relationship with the Catholic Parliamentary Office. A submission on the Second Additional Language Policy for the revised Curriculum Assessment Policy (CAPS) was made. A major policy issue for independent schools continues to be the delay of UMALUSI to give full accreditation to any independent school. CIE, representing CaSPA at the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations (NAISA), has been negotiating with Umalusi.
How we do our work
As new education policies are developed or changed they are analysed and submissions on behalf of the network to the relevant department are made.
Catholic polices are developed and disseminated on behalf of the owners of the schools Catholic Schools Proprietors’ Association (CaSPA).
- Policy Briefs on key issues keeps schools and the owners informed and assist in the development of School Policies.
- Schools are assisted in understanding the legal implications of new policies.
- Liaison with key educational decision makers is undertaken in order to advocate on important issues.
- Schools, department officials and teachers unions are assisted in their understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Public Schools on Private Property.
- Research and comment on education issues on behalf of the Catholic education network is delivered. These two objectives are the main focus of the education, advocacy researcher.
The unit also serves as the secretariat for CaSPA.
