The minister of education talks about it. So do district officials. Excellent schools discuss it at meetings. The topic: quality.
Even though educators talk about quality, is it part of the learners’ vocabulary? To some extent the answer is yes – young people do have an understanding, even if it is a distorted one of quality.
Imagine the young soccer player being given total freedom to choose a pair of boots. He or she will probably gravitate to the most expensive boots in the shop. When it comes to clothes, most children are aware of brand names and quality. As the child matures, he or she learns that quality is not always determined by a brand name or a price tag.
Even the youngest primary school child can be made aware of quality without the actual word being used. A grade one teacher, for example, lets the children know that “gold-star-on-the-forehead” work involves giving of one’s best.
Good schools realise the importance of making all their learners quality conscious, for instance by discussing admirable role models in various fields of endeavour.
These schools publicly praise the achievements of learners and staff at prize-giving ceremonies and sporting events. Many of them nominate educators for the national teaching awards.
There are daily experiences in the classroom in which quality can be acknowledged. At primary school level a class might like to have a “Quality Kid of the Week” award.
A simple certificate given to the weekly winner would delight the recipient. Metal badges engraved with the words “Quality Kid” could be presented, with the winners wearing the badge for a week. Some suggested themes for Quality Kid awards are:
I try my very best in maths.
Wow, my marks have improved since last term!
My manners are of five-star quality.
I’m a true friend to my classmates.
My reading is improving wonderfully.
I love reading.
The South African Quality Institute (SAQI) has a Quality Kid pledge. Quality Kid winners could be chosen on the basis that they adhere to one or more elements of the pledge.
Despite its simplicity, the pledge contains core leadership and management principles:
“Give of my best in all that I do” reflects the principles of hard work and perseverance.
“Do things right the very first time” is part of the “zero defect” quality principle. Tasks should be done correctly the first time. Tasks that have to be repeated because of mistakes waste time, human and physical resources.
“Show kindness, caring, honesty and respect” highlights the importance of these values.
“Strive to keep on improving all the time” reminds the child that there’s always room for improvement. Nobody reaches perfection but everyone should try for it.
“Care for our beautiful South Africa” is evident in the neat school desk (no carving in the woodwork). The care includes picking up litter. This pledge extends to caring for the school environment and beyond.
Although it’s called the Quality Kid Pledge, it applies to everyone, whatever his or her age.
Other ways that schools may prove their commitment to quality education is through vision and mission statements. Entrance and classroom displays reflect quality achievements and highlight admirable character traits of learners and staff members.
Schools may choose to organise competitions for poster slogans incorporating the words “Quality is…”.
The principles and practice of quality are important and should be an integral part of the day in every classroom in every school. Rather than highlighting quality during a focus day or week during the year, daily reminders could be incorporated in the classroom environment in the form of ongoing displays of quality work, with different learners acknowledged during the year.
This year World Quality Week takes place from November 10 to 14. Throughout the world Quality Day will be celebrated on November 13.
The SAQI colour themes are green and white. Why not celebrate the outstanding quality in your own classroom or school?
SAQI has a range of programmes dealing with quality principles and practices. Poor schools are sponsored. For more details, please contact Vanessa du Toit on
012 349 5006 or [email protected] or Richard Hayward on 011 888 3262 or [email protected]