Limpopo Plans to Revive School Sports Program
Limpopo Department of Education, MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Jerry Maseko, signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to provide school sport programmes.
According to the departmenets the MoU is aimed at delivering sustainable integrated plan to provide school learners an opportunity to take part in an organised school sport programmes through accessible and implementable school system.
“The School Sport programme MoU is developed to ensure that the optimal condition for a child’s participation in sport and recreation is one of the best investments in the Province. When the current MoU was put in place, it was done so with the purpose of addressing the challenges that prevented the establishment of a well coordinated and seamless school sport system.
The development of young people in the country is aimed at ensuring that institutional structures are in place to implement and monitor the delivery of a school sport system. The opportunity will give access to learners across the province irrespective of their social standing and backgrounds.” said the statement
To date, there has been progress in certain areas of implementing the school sport programme through the partnership. In the same token, there has been challenges in the implementation of the programme of which the MOU will act as catalyst to resolve.
Partnership to transform access to sports programmes in schools
Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed his excitement following the signing of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Wednesday.
The partnership aims to progressively transform access to both sports and cultural programmes in schools, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in sport and the arts.
McKenzie said the MoU marked a milestone in the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) vision to deliver equality of access for all young people, particularly those in rural, township, and underprivileged areas.
The signing of this MoU is a significant outcome following the 2023 School Sport Indaba with various stakeholders to develop school sport at grassroots level throughout the country.
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The Minister said the agreement was a vital first step in unlocking talent and boosting transformation in both sport and the arts.
“The key to transforming South African sport is to ensure that as many schools as possible – from the townships to rural areas and other less fortunate communities gain access to similar kinds of facilities, coaching and equipment.
“For too long, South Africa’s national teams have relied on private schools as talent-feeders, which, while valuable, does not represent the full potential of this country,” McKenzie said.
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to implement extracurricular programmes, including school sports programmes, throughout the country.
Limpopo Plans to Revive School Sports Program