Julia Grey visited an exceptional little school lost in the platteland Ahe town of Verkeerdevlei, lost in the Free State, is almost as short of landmarks as it is of people. The patch of swamp after which the town is named is about the only distinguishing thing about it (it is known as “the wrong […]
An improved matric pass rate did nothing to save a dysfunctional school from the wrath of a hands-on MEC, report Julia Grey and Jethro Kuzwayo MEC for Education in Gauteng Ignatius Jacobs showed he meant business with the department’s campaign for “teach and learn on day one” when he let rip at learners and teachers […]
The start of the school year was better than others have been in the past, but it was very far from perfect. Julia Grey reports The many years of nagging schools to begin the year professionally and on time seem to finally be making a difference, as the majority of schools kicked into action on […]
A major national education conference held by the country’s largest teachers’ union identified the same old problems. But actions being planned promise to make it more than just a talkshop, writes Julia Grey Government and union leaders, academics, and educators from around the country gathered in their hundreds at the recent South African Democratic Teachers […]
Where and when were you at school? I completed most of my schooling in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, from 1984 to 1994. My junior school was Rhodes Estate Preparatory School (REPS) in the Matopos situated outside Bulawayo. Strange that my schooling was in the heartland of Matabeleland, the centre of the atrocities of the early and mid-Eighties. […]
There’s a new second in command in the education ministry. Julia Grey spoke to Mosibudi Mangena about himself and what he thinks is needed in our education system Mosibudi Mangena is determined to remain close to his roots and champion things African. A look at Mangena’s background speaks volumes about why he identifies so closely […]
When the past just won’t go away Vryburg Hoërskool’s new principal believes he can heal the divided school – but not everyone agrees. Julia Grey reports February this year marked the 110th birthday of Vryburg Hoërskool. It was also the month when 15 ex-learners and parents of white schoolgoers went on trial in the local […]
A leadership crisis leaves Eastern Cape teachers in limbo, writes Julia Grey The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) went on a day-long strike last month to demand that the ”corruption, maladministration and inefficiency” of the Eastern Cape Provincial Education Department (Ecped) be investigated. Key demands from the provincial Sadtu organisation – which boasts a […]
Nombasa Hala joined Ndlovukazi High school in Queenstown in 1999 as a substitute teacher. Fresh out of college, she taught general science and maths for the year. ”Up until now,” says Hala, ”I have not once been paid. I have never received a cent.” She estimates that she is owed R36 000 by the Eastern […]
The rural town called Centane, which lies between Butterworth and the ocean, has five junior secondary schools servicing the area. No doubt this is too many for the size of the local population, if you judge by the pressure to secure enrolments-and teaching posts. Patricia Noah Junior Secondary and Mpentsa’s Junior Secondary are examples of […]