Educators face the hardships of poorly resourced schools, hostile farm owners and a lack of crucial training. ‘We are struggling. There is no electricity, no toilets, and no running water – which is the biggest problem. Nobody supports us and nothing changes. There is no transport for the children. This year we also got nothing […]
In Balfour, Mpumalanga, there are black learners who believe they are better off now that they no longer attend school with white learners. ‘I took the decision in my life to hate each and every white I came across – not only the elders, but also the kids.” Grade 11 learner Sizwe Shabalala made this […]
The history of farm schools has much to do with the present difficulties in which many of them continue to struggle. Reports Julia Grey Between a rock and a hard place is where the majority of farm schools are currently sitting – and they are likely to be stuck there for some time to come. […]
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 […]
Schooling is going ahead in fits and starts as provincial mismanagement makes itself felt in the classroom. Reports and photos by Julia Grey Incompetence in the Eastern Cape Province Education Department (Ecped) is taking its toll on the smooth running of many of its schools. Ntlalo-Ntle Senior Secondary in Steynsburg is just one school facing […]