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Pupils Speak Out: Jo’burg libraries not easy to navigate

From outdated resources to a lack of computers and curriculum books, it’s difficult to find what you’re looking for in Jo’burg’s inner city libraries.

For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts. (Reuters)

Pupils Speak Out: Resources and pupil behaviour

Three pupils from two different schools discuss the major differences between being a pupil in Jo’burg’s inner city and one in the Northern suburbs.

(Madelene Cronje/M&G)

Pupils Speak Out: Rich and poor schools

An illuminating discussion between two pupils demonstrates that affluent and less well-off schools offer very different experiences.

(Madelene Cronje/M&G)

Pupils Speak Out: Rich schools should share resources with poorer schools

Three pupils talk about their experiences of being in school. They each come from different backgrounds and go to schools in different areas.

Pupils Speak Out: Schools need to make us more aware of our privilege

A weekly series of articles written by pupils who want to contribute to the debate about South Africa’s education system.

There is still a lack of critical education aids such as textbooks and computers in schools.

Pupils Speak Out: If you can’t give us textbooks, give us computers

The basic education minister should give pupils textbooks and technology, but in reality there’s still a lack of these critical education aids.

Public schools are badly affected by the department not employing enough graduates because good teachers are taken quickly by private schools.

Pupils Speak Out: Unqualified, disinterested teachers debilitate learning

Shortages, unqualified teachers and those giving lessons in areas they don’t like are adding to education problems, writes one pupil.

Atiyya Patel says her school allows for Islamic and secular education to be taught under one roof

Pupils Speak Out: Not all public schools have the resources that my school has

A 16-year-old Islamic pupil writes about her school experience, which is different from the average, and how we can go about changing education.

Pupils Speak Out: Don’t make pupils walk so far, give them transport

Tax government workers and big business more so there is more money for scholar transport, an Eastern Cape pupil says.

There is no recipe for guaranteed happiness but without kindness, there is no hope of it

Pupils Speak Out: ‘They beat us in a way they would not beat their children’

Corporal punishment may be illegal, but pupils are subjected to it anyway – leading them to feel ashamed to go to school. One pupil tells their story.

One for all: Three classes are conducted in one classroom on a farm in Breyten

Pupils Speak Out: It’s not only pupils at no-fee schools that need feeding schemes

Government intervention is necessary to ensure that all children do not study on hungry stomachs because they are tired and drained.

Pupils Speak Out: Teachers need to be alert to problems pupils might hide

Changes in a pupil’s behaviour or work might be an indication that they are experiencing a problem they may find difficult to talk about.

A national cannabis master plan has been developed, with the department of trade and industry tasked with its implementation and administration

Pupils Speak Out: Popularity and smoking weed

A pupil from an inner city school in Johannesburg speaks about pupils who smoke weed and see it as a mechanism to influence their popularity.

Pupils Speak Out: Weapons, bullying and intimidation

Two pupils from an inner-city school in Johannesburg tell how bullies use weapons to instil fear in pupils and certain teachers.