Education Express has both value and grit, writes Adele van den Berg
Begging for a couple of cents, looking ragged and desparate: the all too familiar sight of Johannesburg’s street kids. Getting these children into schools was the subject of a documentary recently featured in the new series of Education Express. One school featured is New Station School in Johannesburg. The top priority for the school is to ensure these youngsters -including teenage mothers – get an education. The curriculum accommodates the special needs of such learners.
The “floating class”, for example, is for youngsters who have never been to school before, regardless of their age. Vocational skills such as computer training, motor mechanics and driving skills are also offered. And the school has reason to be proud: it has produced learners who have passed matric and one who is currently studying information technology. Another interesting part of Education Express to keep an eye out for is “Yours Truly”, which picks up on issues sent to the producers by learners and teachers. Difficult issues, such as how teachers deal with the harmful effects of domestic violence on children in their care, are tackled.
This month on Education Express:
This programme looks at how four deaf learners at a hearing school fit in. In “Yours Truly”, Duma tackles the issue of deaf children in the rural areas who don’t go to school. Screened on November 3 (11.30am SABC3), November 6 (5pm SABC2), November 18 (9.30am SABC1)
Thembi from Boom Shaka visits her favourite teacher. A feature looks at how industry helps to manufacture a new batch of science-loving learners at the Sasol Science Festival. In “Yours Truly”, Salim Vally speaks about discrimination against economically disadvantaged learners. Screened on November 10 (11.30am SABC3), November 13 (5pm SABC2), November 25 (9.30am SABC1)
TV presenter Tracey Going talks to her old principal. Then the programme looks at how a community is being educated to look after their pets. In “Yours Truly”, gambling addiction is tackled. Screened on November 17 (11.30am SABC3), November 20 (5pm SABC2), December 2 (9.30am SABC1)
Stoan from Bongo Maffin’s visits his favourite teacher, and a school’s oral history project is featured (see story above). “Yours Truly” looks at how language misunderstandings can lead to conflict at school. Screened on November 24 (11.30am SABC3), November 27 (5pm SABC2), December 9 (9.30am SABC1)
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, November 2001.