Gauteng education receives UN award

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The UN’s Public Service Awards are held annually to recognise creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.

Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes professionalism and visibility in the public service.

The SSIP was awarded first place in the African award for “Improving the Delivery of Public Services”.

Cameroon won second place for a project on water and sanitation.

The winning project, SSIP, has been a major factor for the significant improvement in the matric pass rate in Gauteng since 2010.

By providing supplementary tuition to 50 000 learners and support for teachers in 400 priority schools, the SSIP has helped achieve a 15 per cent improvement in the provincial pass rate, with the most significant improvements happening in priority schools serving disadvantaged communities.

The SSIP has contributed particularly by improving levels of learner achievement in gateway subjects including mathematics and physical science. The SSIP has helped to reduce the number of underperforming schools from 188 in 2009 to 19 in 2013.

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs has, in making the award, recognised the GDE and its SSIP, as being among the examples of excellence in public service, not just in Africa, but internationally.

This prestigious award recognises the GDE as the best public service delivery institution in Africa and as one of the best throughout the world.

“This award belongs to all the teachers, principals, and GDE officials who have given selflessly towards the improvement the quality of teaching and learning in Gauteng schools.

“This also shows that systems, programmes and interventions put in place by the department are yielding results,” says Gauteng MEC for Education, Barbara Creecy.