Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Western Cape Education Department

latest news & developments
The Western Cape education department says it has filled 477 teacher posts despite announcing last year that 2 407 contract teachers would not be reappointed as a result of severe budget cuts.(Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Thuli Dlamini)
ADMISSION

Western Cape fills 477 teacher posts after cutting 2 407 contract positions last year

The department says the reduction in teaching posts has increased the projected average teacher-to-learner ratio from 1:34.2 in 2024 to 1:36.7 this year

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
4IR

Advancing knowledge NPC preparing STEM education for the 4th industrial revolution

Advancing Knowledge NPC (AK NPC) has delivered a number of award-winning projects, programmes and SACE endorsed short courses in STEM education

  • Partner Content
4 min read
The Western Cape education department says it will continue to honour a R1.2 billion tender awarded by the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) even after a forensic report uncovered irregularities. (Ezekiel Kenkana/GroundUp)
BLUE NETWORK CONSORTIUM

Western Cape education department refutes R1.2bn tender irregularities

The State Information Technology Agency has recommended an investigation into the tender awarded to Blue Network Consortium

  • Umamah Bakharia
2 min read
M&G file photo
2023 WAGE AGREEMENT

Western Cape education says no teacher retrenchments despite loss of 2,400 jobs due to budget cuts

The department’s R2.5 billion budget cut, impacting administration, curriculum, and infrastructure, leaves it with a R3.8 billion shortfall over the next three years

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Members of the Cape Town Metro Police search a house as part of a search-and-seizure operation for drugs and weapons, in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town. (File photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
CAPE TOWN

Gang threats lead to school absenteeism and business closures in Cape township

A letter, apparently written by gangsters in Philippi, warns they will kill Somalis if extortion fees are paid to their rivals

  • Sandiso Phaliso
4 min read
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE NON PROFIT COMPANY

Three new Science Teaching & Learning Centres open to support STEM education at Cape Town schools

More than 100 TLCs have been constructed at Western Cape schools since 2011

  • Professor Shaheed Hartley
3 min read
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE NPC

Hands-on inquiry-based training offered to grades 8 and 9 natural sciences teachers 

They learned how to perform simple experiments that can easily be transferred to their daily natural science classes

  • Professor Shaheed Hartley
7 min read
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE NON PROFIT COMPANY

Advancing Knowledge NPC’s inquiry-based science education training for InterSen (grades 4-7) Natural Science teachers

The first step is walking teachers through the inquiry-based approach to teaching science and improving their pedagogic skills and content knowledge

  • Professor Shaheed Hartley
7 min read
Faranaaz Fisher and Farinaas Lakay are among a group of backyarders who moved onto land earmarked for the Western Cape Education Department in Heideveld in 2018. Photo: Mary-Anne Gontsana
CAPE TOWN

Court showdown over Cape Flats evictions

People living in about 110 informal structures and Wendy houses at Cathkin Village informal settlement in Heideveld are facing eviction

  • Mary-Anne Gontsana
3 min read
The opening of Science TLC at Trafalgar Secondary: Salwa Southgate (principal), John Matthews (CEO Garden Cities), Professor Shaheed Hartley (Director AK NPC), Siraj Desai (Retired High Court Judge), Igshaan Higgins (Cape Heritage Curator).
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE NPC

Advancing Knowledge NPC preparing STEM Education for the fourth industrial revolution

Science Teaching and Learning Centres Programme at Cape schools reaches its 100th milestone

  • Advancing Knowledge NPC
4 min read
The government estimates between 40 000 and 600 000 children with disabilities do not go to school at all. (David Harrison)
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Too many disabled children still fall through schooling gaps

Inclusive strategies need to be implemented in South Africa so that people living with disabilities like autism can live meaningful, productive lives

  • Eunice Masson
8 min read
2023

Apply now for the 2023 school year, Western Cape education department urges parents

Parents and guardians have four days left to apply for 2023 places for their children at schools in the province

  • Eunice Masson
1 min read
Good idea: Welwitschia Primary School has implemented a successful waste management project. (GrowZA)
BELLVILLE SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Western Cape schools benefit from zero waste project

The initiative provides schools with a toolkit to reduce the waste they send to landfills by recycling more effectively

  • Warren Hewitt
4 min read
CHILD RAPES

W. Cape education dept clarifies school rape incident

The Western Cape education department responds to an article in the Mail & Guardian

  • Western Cape Education
  • Department 1
4 min read
Learners at the high school held a peaceful protest on Wednesday morning ‘in support of the educator’ and they stated that the ‘incident was not race related’ according to the statement.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Cape Town school to decide on way forward following video of teacher slapping pupil

The education department has asked the public not to conclude that the incident is racially motivated until the investigation has been completed

  • Mashadi Kekana
2 min read