08 Feb 2015

Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said his ministry gives  Design and Technology (D&T) subject due attention. 

However, Mr Masisi who is also Vice President said he is aware that there are a few challenges that require attention.

Responding a question in Parliament, Mr Masisi said that the subject is adequately resourced with teachers and staffing statistics as at January 30 indicating that there are 23 senior teachers at D4 salary scale and 422 at C1 to C4 scale.

He said that currently, there are 6 vacancies for Design and Technology Teachers countrywide and the ministry is in the process of filling them.

Mr Masisi noted that at the moment, companies are being engaged to service and restore functionality of D&T and art equipment at senior secondary schools adding that the ministry is awaiting the return of specialist Computer Numerically Controlled machines which were sent to South Africa for repairs while light machinery have been repaired.

He however said that the junior secondary school are being assisted with funds as and when they request as top-up to the annual allocation citing that the materials for this subject are increasingly expensive.

He said that the ministry is currently drafting service level agreement for all practical subjects’ equipment ,to  ensure maintenance is addressed. MP for Tati West, Mr Biggie Butale had asked if the minister is aware that the subject is “greatly neglected” nationwide and not adequately resourced in teaching staff and equipment and asked about plans to address the poblem. ENDS