As part of developing a functional school system and ensuring that children have access to quality education, the Eastern Cape Department of Education has called on former officials to help revive education in the province.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has called on 150 retired departmental officials to help uplift 560 disadvantaged schools in the province.
The retired officials will mentor these schools with their knowledge and experience, especially when dealing with the high number of Grade 12 enrolments.
David Toni, who was a school principal for 16 years and later became a circuit manager for 20 years, said he was pleased to share his skills and mentor people in the education sector. 
“A well-mentored principal will pass down their skills to staff members and educators. This means that the whole school will function optimally and the overall results of learners will improve,” said Toni during the launch of the programme.
Through this programme, the Eastern Cape Department of Education wants to improve learners’ performance, especially at Grade 12 level, and pay special attention to Further Education and Training schools.
Eastern Cape MEC of Education Mandla Makupula said in his budget vote that at the core of developing a functional school system was mentoring the 560 schools identified as dysfunctional.
MEC Makupula said improving the leadership, management and administration of those schools by mentoring school principals is a step in the right direction. The objective is to have a functional school system.
He added that integrating e-learning on a big scale to improve the quality of teaching was also part of developing functional schools.
“About 160 of these schools are already earmarked for telematics equipment in partnership with Stellenbosch University,” said MEC Makupula.
He added that his department would also manage teacher demand and supply by managing vacancies in schools better.
* Cheera-Dee Robinson works for the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
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