When does the duty to protect children become a violation of their rights, asks Console Tleane The thorny issue of random drug testing at schools, publicised in media reports earlier this year, highlights the widespread use of narcotics and has raised several human rights issues. Were schools operating within their rights to test pupils for […]
Teaching is the nobelest of professions, said Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena, while paying tribute to a great educator Speaking at Siyahlomula Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg last month, Mangena said teachers did not only impart knowledge to learners but helped navigate intellectual waters and mould the young morally and physically. “My teachers gave me […]
Millions of learners will be encouraged to take part in one of the most ambitious projects aimed at obtaining data on children in South Africa. Driven by Statistics South Africa (SSA) in collaboration with the Department of Education, CensusAtSchool will target learners from grades 3 to 12. SSA aims to get basic information from learners […]
How to mould amazing citizens of the future Former schoolteacher Yvonne Kgame, editor of School TV, spoke to the Teacher about classroom success “A good teacher has the necessary knowledge, skills and values, and is well equipped to lead, teach and model best practice to her learners.” Kgame, who taught science and English at Kagiso […]
The warning sign for parents are glaring. South African teenagers are in trouble, writes Leoni Bhengiat For the past five years, teenagers in South Africa have been flocking to psychologists’ offices for help. And the pressure is still mounting. “Two years ago I tried to commit suicide because I couldn’t cope anymore. Now I go […]
With two out of every three marriages ending in divorce, parent-child relationships are suffering writes Katherine Bain Marital conflict and divorce can create serious instability in the family and insecurity in a child. This immense disruption in the home life can create a situation that serves as a dysfunctional learning experience in all aspects of […]
Kader Asmal says teachers are under-prepared for the changes in Curriculum 2005 and the changes in governance outlined in the South African Schools Act Speaking at the launch of the University of Natal’s new Faculty of Education last month, Minister of Education Kader Asmal said it was crucial to establish education as a respected first […]
Thandi is the head girl of one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious private schools. She loves English, history and politics and wants to become a lawyer. Almost certainly she will become a leader of the next generation. Many people are advising her to take a Bachelor of Commerce (B Comm) degree rather than a Bachelor of […]
The future of distance learning should become more clear as moves to merge the University of South Africa, Technikon South Africa (TSA) and the distance learning campus of Vista University get underway. Franklin Sonn, former South African ambassador to the United States, is chairing the group of academics exploring the proposed merger between the Unisa, […]
Teacher warned to stop hugging or touching girls, writes Julia Grey A private school in the Northern Province has been rocked by allegations of misconduct, including a claim that bursaries are being granted in exchange for sex. Teaching staff at St Marks College made the allegations against deputy principal Frank Lebotsa and acting head Simon […]