Education

No birth certificate, no education: how Home Affairs has failed a Cape Town family

When other kids their age are at school learning, Thandeka Plaatjies, aged 10, helps her mother with chores and plays with her siblings – Thandiswa, age nine, and Luthando, age seven – outside their home in Westlake township.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 19 October 2015

Parents want Parliament Primary school principal dismissed

Parents of children at Parliament Primary School, Mfuleni, set up to accommodate children who had been learning in a tent, have demanded that the principal be dismissed.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 13 October 2015

“Why we don’t do maths” - high school students explain

At the end of grade nine South African students are expected to decide which subjects they would like to continue with for the rest of high school. One of the important decisions they make is whether or not they will continue with maths, or take maths literacy. As five students explain, the decision is tough, affects their future, and is not always made freely and based on their true ability and interests.

Sarita Pillay

Feature | 9 October 2015

Why DASO won Fort Hare

In May, the Democratic Alliance Student Alliance (DASO) won SRC elections at the University of Fort Hare. The university has been a stronghold of ANC-aligned organisations. We spoke to student leaders to find out what changed.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

Analysis | 6 October 2015

Why have annual national assessments?

This year’s Annual National Assessments (ANA), which are administered in literacy and numeracy to all learners in grades 1-6 and 9, have been postponed till December following opposition to their administration from teacher unions. How should we understand the value of these assessments, the reasons for the opposition from unions and how the assessments can be improved for the future?

Stephen Taylor

Opinion | 30 September 2015

Getting the facts right on assessments

To test or not to test? That is not the question although it is the way the current row about basic education has largely been presented.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 29 September 2015

How can South Africa redesign its annual national assessments?

South Africa’s major teacher unions and the Department of Basic Education agree: standardized testing can be a useful tool to measure the progress and gaps in a country’s education. But they don't agree on the current format of the tests.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

News | 29 September 2015

Minister wants meeting to break ANA deadlock

Minister of Education, Angie Motshegka, will meet on Friday with stakeholder groups in a bid to resolve the deadlock over the annual national assessment tests (ANAs), scheduled for December.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

News | 29 September 2015

‘One day, people will watch me dance’

“When I finish school, I want to be in a ballet skirt and do ballet for a big crowd,” says six-year-old Anathi Dakuse from Imizamo Yethu.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 September 2015

Corruption in schools: stealing our children’s future

On 30 September 2015, thousands will march in Pretoria and Cape Town under the banner of Unite Against Corruption. This is a call across our country to reject maladministration and theft in the public and private sectors.

Amanda Rinquest

Opinion | 22 September 2015

Dunoon schools: when lawyers go beyond the courtroom

The struggle to ensure access to schools for Dunoon learners illustrates the value of social justice lawyers engaging in work beyond the courtroom.

Sherylle Dass and Demichelle Petherbridge

Opinion | 15 September 2015

Parents claim victory in battle over Dunoon school

Dunoon parents and representatives of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) reached an agreement on Thursday after weeks of argument over the use of mobile classrooms next to the Sophakama Primary School.

Pharie Sefali

News | 28 August 2015

Maths lab for Masiphumelele students

Students at Ukanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele informal settlement are taking part in a Maths Lab initiative designed to boost their maths skills.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 25 August 2015

South Africa, colonialism, language and China

The whole question of colonialism has come to the fore again, courtesy of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and its vehement objection to the introduction of the Chinese Mandarin dialect to local schools.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 24 August 2015

Education Department promises to place over 300 Dunoon students

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has promised to register all Dunoon students who are yet to be placed in schools by tomorrow (Wednesday, 12 August).

Barbara Maregele

News | 11 August 2015

Early childhood development: the children can’t wait

Scientists, economists, policy makers and child-rights advocates agree: there is growing scientific evidence that investment in early childhood development is the most cost-effective route to the sustainable development of children and their communities.

Patricia Martin

Opinion | 7 August 2015