DEPASA VISION STATEMENT To promote transforma5on and leadership in D/deaf and hard of hearing educa5on. MISSION STATEMENT Members of the DEAF EDUCATION PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION - SOUTH AFRICA recognise and acknowledge our role as educa5onal managers and leaders. Through our collec5ve and professional conduct at local, provincial and na5onal levels, strive to excel in our task through self-development and interac5on as an independent, non-discriminatory and non-aligned associa5on.
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DEPASA
OBJECTIVES To promote quality teaching and learning with the focus on D/deaf and hard of hearing learners. To promote and enhance educa5onal leadership and effec5ve school management teams. To provide opportuni5es for the professional development of principals and deputy principals. To adopt a code of ethics, which is aligned to and adopted by the South African Council of educators (SACE) and shall not be in conflict thereof. To par5cipate in curriculum development suited for D/deaf and hard of hearing learners. To facilitate communica5on among educa5onal leaders / stakeholders and share best prac5ces. To par5cipate in and/or do advocacy on the broader aspects / components of D/deaf and hard of hearing educa5on. To undertake educa5onal research, publish journals and/or news sheets and disseminate professional literature. To promote liaison with teacher, principal associa5ons and unions. To establish links with interna5onal associa5ons of principals.
DEPASA
• History The idea for the need for an associa5on of principals of schools for the D/ deaf started at a WISEHUB conference breakaway session for schools catering specifically for D/deaf learners. Individuals looked at the needs and challenges facing schools offering a curriculum for D/deaf learners. An interim commiZee was formed at WISEHUB 2016, with the inten5on of star5ng a formalised structure to promote leadership within this sector. In May 2017, a steering commiZee comprising of principals from 7 different schools across the 9 provinces within South Africa was elected. This interim steering group was given the mandate to formalise an associa5on represen5ng principals/school leaders and promo5ng leadership at schools focusing on the needs within D/deaf Educa5on.
DEPASA First National Executive Committee