Ephraim Enock Jende discovers that men can be made to feel like pieces of meat Last year on the 24th, 25th and 26th of March, the Gauteng Department of Education organised a workshop on learning support materials (LSM) in Warmbaths in the North West Province. I was part of that workshop. We were working in […]
Academics must use their skills outside of the lecture rooms, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said at his installation as chancellor of the University of Zululand last month. He also urged local business to get more involved with the university in projects designed to imbue professionals with various kinds of skills. “Business has the social responsibility […]
Despite having human rights-friendly laws relating to the protection of the youth, South Africa has failed to nurture its children, according to AndrŽ Keet of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Unfortunately, Keet says, South Africa is still described as a nation that fails to nurture its children, particularly in a recent report issued […]
Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena is leading the campaign to help South African learners and educators get to grips with maths, science and technology. This is an excerpt from his speech at the launch of the initiative Figures relating to the participation and attainment of our learners in maths and science are both alarming […]
Name: Wilma Rennet Wessels Occupation: Occupation: Financial Systems and Procedures Manager Describe a typical workday. The day starts by replying to e-mails and meeting with staff members to obtain specifications for the website being designed. When that is completed and documented in a work flow diagram, I record all the processes and actions that will […]
The success of every school rests on the shoulders of its headmaster, according to Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena Speaking at the national conference of the South African School Principals’ Association, Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena said principals assume the role of parents once children enter the school premises and should be responsible […]
The blueprint to instil a strong sense of patriotism in the educators and learners of today, in order for them to become better citizens of tomorrow, was released late last month. Entitled Manifesto on Values, Education and Democracy, the document encourages all South Africans to embrace the spirit of a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South […]
Important agreements reached last month in the Education Labour Relations Council promise to bring more stability to a profession that has long been plagued by insecurity. The four resolutions will have major implications for the most vulnerable in the teaching force, including temporary teachers and underqualified teachers. The main implications for the teaching profession are: […]
One of South Africa’s most exciting research initiatives is about to be launched at Wits University. Wiser – the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research – promises to position the university at the forefront of social and economic inquiry on the continent and internationally. Headed by Professor Deborah Posel, Wiser has been established to […]
Mauritius, the idyllic island renowned for its splendid beaches and tourist attractions, was the venue for an education indaba early last month when the executive board of the Pan African Federation of Teachers’ Trade Unions (Pafettu) met. On the agenda, among other issues, was improving the quality of teaching and the status of educators. National […]
This year’s Green Trust Schools Award winners are shining examples of commitment to the environment, writes Hilary Fine WINNER: BATHURST PRIMARY SCHOOL, EASTERN CAPE Dreams of a healthier planet and a self-sufficient community prompted educators at Bathurst Primary to infuse an environmental ethos into everything they do. “Our aim is to develop a sanctuary of […]
Onetime Comrades Marathon champion Bruce Fordyce has one. So does the suddenly silent muso with a Zulu beat, Johnny Clegg (above), that divine songstress Sibongile Khumalo and the now solo – and grooveless – ex-lead singer of Mango Groove Claire Johnston. Included in this hot list is the titillating Thandi Mazwai from love them or […]
Masifunde Sonke, the much-hyped campaign to build a nation of readers, was given a major boost last month with the launch of the Nozincwadi (Mother of Books) Project, featuring Gcina Mhlophe, the acclaimed children’s storyteller. Mhlophe will travel throughout the country to promote reading and inspire future young writers. The Nozincwadi Project will target between […]
Tuesday July 24, 2001 Oxford University could face a legal battle with the Commission for Racial Equality after it failed to respond to questions over allegations that an Asian academic was racially discriminated against by the university. As part of its normal practise when deciding whether to take up cases, the commission last month gave […]
Britain’s first government-funded Islamic school closed temporarily last week amid a wave of anti-Muslim feeling. Its chairman of governors, Yusuf Islam – formerly the pop star Cat Stevens – explains why his adopted religion is the home of tolerance and not of fanaticism Tuesday September 18, 2001 The Guardian The playground stands bare and empty. […]
Trevor Letcher, professor of the School of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Natal, has received one of the highest awards made to a scientist in Southern Africa, the prestigious Southern African Association for the Advancement of Science Gold Medal for 2001. Johann van den Berg, dean of the Faculty of Science, said […]
The antics of Western Cape educator Janine Orderson in Big Brother, the 24-hour reality television show on DSTV and M-Net, has become a talking point in education circles. Orderson, a primary school grade seven teacher, merrily consumed alcohol, paraded in a G-string and spoke of her sexual fantasies on the show. The divorced mother of […]
YOUR GUIDE TO INVESTING IN EDUCATION Futurekids (SA) embarked on an intensive countrywide teacher training programme at the beginning of the year that represents a major investment in the skills of South African educators. Futurekids (SA) managing director Victor Schultze says the investment in teachers is critical, as the new educational paradigm calls for more […]
Step Six gives you ideas about how to see whether your governing body is working well as a team, and whether you are making a difference to the school. There are two kinds of evaluations that your governing body needs to do. The first is to evaluate the relationships and ways of working of the […]
Apartheid-era perspectives still feature in history textbooks, according to Minister of Education Kader Asmal Minister of Education Kader Asmal cites the poor quality of history teaching at schools, the use of discredited apartheid-era textbooks, and the slide of history as a subject, as some of the reasons for the troubled state of history in schools. […]
The biggest interschool sports competition and development programme in the country was launched last month. Sponsored to the tune of R25-million, the loveLife Games is a partnership between the United School Sports Association of South Africa, loveLife and the government. It will see competition, taking place on district, regional and provincial levels in a variety […]
‘Principals are the captains of the ship that will lead the fleet of the future.” This was one of the memorable comments that best summed up the annual conference of the South African Principals Association. More than 500 principals, a diverse mix from rural and urban schools, gathered in September to discuss a variety of […]
Racism and sexism are now taboo in schools. But rampant homophobic bullying is ruining many young people’s lives. Wendy Berliner reports on a new strategy to fight it Tuesday October 2, 2001 The Guardian This summer more than four million, mostly young, people voted for Brian Dowling, the gay air steward who won Big Brother […]
Good news is not newsworthy It seems as if the print media is mainly interested in reporting sensational news stories Since 1994, there have been many stories about racism, especially at former Model C-schools. Former Afrikaans schools like Vryburg High have received much media attention that only the ignorant are unaware of their recent history […]
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 […]
“Qualified Teachers for Quality Education” is the theme for World Teachers’ Day, observed globally on October 5 World Teachers’ Day began in 1994 as a Unesco event to acknowledge the contribution of teachers, as well as to highlight their concerns. “There is no question that teachers should be honoured with their own day of celebration. […]
M J Lee finally gives in to the computer age Some of us arrive later at modern technology than others. The elderly, familiar word-processor had just declared terminal illness, work was piling up all around, and there was no escape. I had to take that fateful step into the computer age. So here I was, […]
Minister of Education Kader Asmal has welcomed the report of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) into initiation practices at education institutions. Asmal says his department will work together with provincial colleagues and education role players to develop the necessary policy to give effect to the recommendations in the report. The minister believes that […]
Gava Kassiem recalls the ups and downs of her life as a teacher Learners are unaware of the tapestry they weave into an educator’s life. There are some who by their very nature embody the earnestness and nobility of a once-revered profession. My teaching career started in a township school in Athlone, a derelict building […]
Name: Neil Naidoo Age: 41 Occupation: Project manager What is project management? In today’s dynamic global business environment, organisations are forced to deliver fast, low-cost, high-quality products and services to their customers. To meet these demands, unique undertakings initiated in organisations have to be handled as projects. As the awareness of project management spreads, an […]
Refugees made to feel welcome Educators, learners and parents at Clareville Primary School in Clare Estate, Durban, are still abuzz over the visit to the school by Nene Annan, wife of Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations. Annan, accompanied by former President of the Netherlands Rudd Lubbers and Bemma Donkoh of the United Nation […]
Name: Vukile Mathabela Age: 24 Occupation: Promotions, events and marketing assistant Describe a typical workday. I communicate with the promotions co-ordinator on a daily basis with regard to departmental needs and tasks; Iiaise with sales people, presenters and producers concerning competitions; collect and file competition-winner information and check prizes received against contracts; and maintain and […]