Education

Blind sidelined by Department of Trade and Industry

South Africa’s draft intellectual property policy fails to make any mention of the most progressive copyright treaty in years. Blind and visually impaired people will pay the price if this is not rectified in the final policy.

Marcus Low

Opinion | 2 October 2013

Letter from a learner

My name is Bayanda Mazwi and I am 17 years old. I am currently doing grade 11 at the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in Khayelitsha. I live with my parents and my two younger siblings in the informal settlement of Monwabisi Park in Khayelitsha.

Bayanda Mazwi

Opinion | 2 October 2013

Khayelitsha parents march for quality education

As the country was celebrating Heritage Day, about 300 parents, teachers and members of Equal Education (EE) marched from different points in Khayelitsha to Site B Hall. They wanted to draw to the attention of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga the need for quality education for their children and to have standards set for school infrastructure.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 30 September 2013

Fewer learners fed after feeding tender goes BEE

Since the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) lost a tender by the Department of Education’s National School Nutrition Programme to deliver a school feeding service, two schools are complaining that the service has decreased, and learners are hungry.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 26 September 2013

Naidoo speaks out on Eastern Cape health crisis

The Neil Aggett Memorial lecture was delivered by Jay Naidoo at Kingswood College, Grahamstown on 13 September 2013.

Jay Naidoo

Opinion | 17 September 2013

Old container to be re-opened as Gugulethu library

An old container once used as a library could be brought back to life in Gugulethu. 100 books have already been donated.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 10 September 2013

Qualified and unemployed

With almost 53% of its youth unable to find work, South Africa is facing one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, far higher than in comparable countries. While the International Labour Organisation (ILO) gives the youth unemployment rate as around 12% in sub-Saharan Africa and around 28% in North Africa, these high percentages are still far lower than they are in South Africa.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

Brief | 4 September 2013

Staff pay dispute closes Walter Sisulu University

Staff at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) on a “no work, no pay” strike for six weeks have forced the university to close.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

Brief | 3 September 2013

60 days before matric examinations - how are Dinaledi schools in Khayelitsha faring?

There are seven Dinaledi schools, but learners see The Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) as the only answer to succeeding in physical science and maths for matric.

Pharie Sefali

News | 28 August 2013

Reading for change: organisation addresses social issues through cellphone fiction

FunDza Literacy Trust is an NGO that aims to popularize reading amongst young South Africans. FunDza's goals are to encourage youngsters to read for pleasure and to help students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to become effectively literate.

Fergus Turner

Opinion | 20 August 2013

Pregnant girls have a right to be in school

Teenage pregnancy and the stigmatisation that accompanies it continue to expose deep seated prejudices that exist in our society. Given the prevailing attitude of vilifying pregnant girls it should come with little surprise that many schools opt for a punitive response by banishing pregnant girls from school.

Lisa Andrews and Lisa Draga

Opinion | 14 August 2013

Labour backs child beating ban

Sex scandals, amid accusations of conspiracy, strikes and ongoing fears of violence have dominated the news about trade unions over the past week and more. And the spectre of Wonderkop and the dead and crippled miners, both pre and post Marikana has continued to loom large.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 5 August 2013

Riot breaks out at Matthew Goniwe High School in Khayelitsha

A riot broke out at Matthew Goniwe High School in Site B, Khayelitsha from about 1pm to 2pm this afternoon.

Pharie Sefali

Brief | 31 July 2013

Chaotic language policy goes to rights commission

Mr. Zolile Prusente is the curriculum specialist with the regional education department in Upington. Recently, he sent a complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission regarding a problematic shift in language policy in the past year.

Selby Nomnganga

News | 26 July 2013

14-year-old can’t find school to finish Grade 2

Olwethu is a 14-year-old boy whose dreams have been shattered. Due to his upbringing, Olwethu is only doing Grade 2 now at 14 instead of the usual age of 8.

Pharie Sefali

News | 24 July 2013

Zille’s misguided defence of Motshekga

Helen Zille may seem like an unlikely advocate for Angie Motshekga, but she is not. The two have come to each other’s aid on more than one occasion.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 23 July 2013