MEMORANDUM OF Understanding
BETWEEN
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE)
AND
Faith Based Organisations (FBOs)
(the Parties)
Within the province of Gauteng.
The purpose of this Memorandum is to clarify the development of what is hoped will become a long-term partnership between the Gauteng Department of Education and the Faith Based Organisations represented by an elected FBOs Liaison Committee within the province of Gauteng.
This Memorandum therefore sets out the spirit and context of cooperation between Gauteng Department of Education and the Faith Based Organisations in ensuring that education becomes a societal priority.
2. Aim of the GDE-FBOs Partnership
The Gauteng Department of Education and the Faith Based Organisations agree to work together to promote or develop the goals and objectives of the Partnership for the enhancement of teaching and learning within the Province of Gauteng.
3. Responsibilities of Faith Based Organisations
3.1 Faith Based Organisations will help the Gauteng Department of Education in making education a top priority within communities and the province;
3.2 FBOs will offer educational support to learners, their tutoring, homework, intervention and physical spaces for studying - in line with provisions of Section 4.
3.3 Faith Based Organisations will provide pastoral care and related services to those in conflict, bereaved and traumatised in schools falling under the Gauteng Department of Education;
3.4 Faith Based Organisations will support school activities such as clean up campaigns, cultural activities, sports days, learner graduations, celebrations, blessings for learners before and after exams and related matters;
3.5 Faith Based Organisations will implement partnerships with schools, at the initiative of either schools or FBOs, by agreement, in line with the framework agreed between GDE and FBOs at provincial level;
3.6 Faith Based Organisations will assist the Gauteng Department of Education in ensuring a safe and crime free environment for schooling and will assist in protecting schools and their assets.
3.7 Faith Based Organisations will appoint members to a Liaison Committee between the parties, follow guidelines issued by the liaison committee, and co-operate with monitoring and any necessary interventions made by that body or its district subcommittees
4. Responsibilities of the Gauteng Department of Education:
4.1 The Gauteng Department of Education will provide access to schools and other centres of learning on clear terms and conditions for the purposes of FBOs' support activities such as those listed at paragraph 3 above;
4.2 The Gauteng Department of Education will avail human resources, technical resources, guidelines, protocols, and other resources for enhancement of the goals of the GDE-FBOs Partnership;
4.3 The Gauteng Department of Education will assist the Faith Based Organisations with suitable platforms for advocacy work, motivational, spiritual, pastoral and educational care and support;
4.4 The Gauteng Department of Education will coordinate the GDE-FBOs Partnership and offer secretariat, marketing and communication work;
4.5 The Gauteng Department of Education will assist in setting up structures at district level to set forward the goals of the partnership;
4.6 The Gauteng Department of Education will appoint members to a liaison committee between the parties, follow guidelines issued by the liaison committee, and co-operate with monitoring and any necessary interventions made by that body or its district subcommittees
5. Agreements between the Gauteng Department of Education and Faith Based Organisations
All performed activities and related agreements performed by Faith Based Organisations jointly or separately with the Gauteng Department of Education will be, where applicable based on voluntary work of Faith Based Organisations within communities. Resourcing for programmes and projects will either be sourced jointly by the GDE-FBOs Partnership or provided by any party that is able to do so, by mutual agreement.
6. Principles of joint developments
The parties agree to:
6.1 Ensure that all activities are consistent with the Constitution, the SA Schools Act and relevant national and provincial legislation;
6.2 Ensure that strategic planning for all activities takes place within the annual planning cycle of the GDE, taking into account input by various teams, districts and programmes practitioners on the ground;
6.3 Ensure that any resources utilised for the realisation of the goals of the GDE-FBOs Partnership and its programmes, including the Faith for Quality Education programmes initiated by Faith Based Organisations through district coordinators, follow agreed policies and legislative requirements;
6.4 Ensure that all activity is conducted in an orderly manner, reflects the strengths of the parties, and where possible is complementary, drawing on their respective missions and organisational plans;
6.5 Participate in activities that are cost-effective and efficient in development and implementation, assure the standards and quality of service within the national framework of Religion Policy in Public Schools are adhered to, and provide complete, accurate and reliable information to all stakeholders.
7. Coordination of the GDE-FBOs Partnership
This GDE-FBOs Partnership shall be coordinated at provincial, district and school level by coordinators appointed by the Gauteng Department of Education. Correspondingly, Faith Based Organisations will appoint from the forums and fraternals, specific representatives to support, assist as well as implement programmes within their own initiatives or jointly initiated by the parties. Progress and impact will be monitored and evaluated by the Gauteng Department of Education senior management and the FBOs Liaison Committee. The overall coordination of the GDE-FBOs Partnership is aimed at and ensuring effective liaison between partners; preserving the underpinning principles outlined here; and maintaining an overall perspective on developments initiated through this Memorandum; all towards the goal of enhancing teaching and learning within the Province of Gauteng schools.
8. General
8.1 The parties shall be entitled to use the names and logos only as specifically agreed in advance in writing with the partners.
8.2 This Memorandum shall expire on the date agreed to after the date of execution, but may be terminated earlier than that date at any time by either party upon the giving of one (1) week's written notice to the other.
8.3 Nothing in this Memorandum is intended to or shall be deemed to establish an exclusive relationship between the parties or to restrict any activities that either party would otherwise be able to undertake. Nothing in this Memorandum is intended to or shall be deemed to establish any partnership or joint venture between the parties or constitute any party as an agent of the other party.
8.4 The terms of this Memorandum may be amended at any time by agreement in writing between the parties.
8.5 The parties irrevocably agree that this Memorandum and any disputes arising under or in any way connected with the subject matter or formation of this Memorandum shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
9. Signatures
Authorised Signatory for Gauteng Department of Education
Authorised Signatories of the members of the interim committee acting together on the mandate of the Soweto meeting for Faith Based Organisations held on 16 October 2012 at the GDE Johannesburg Central District auditorium.
Issued by the Gauteng Department of Education, March 18 2013
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