Education

Surviving Rivonia Trialists hold dialogue with school learners

Learners from a number of schools in Cape Town had the opportunity to meet surviving Rivonia trialists when a replica of Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island was launched to tour the country.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 17 September 2014

Bullying still rife in schools, finds survey

A survey started in 2011 by the Quaker Peace Centre covering 102 learners has found that 95% of respondents were bullied at some point; of these 50% were bullied at school. The centre is ramping up its anti-bullying campaign.

Pharie Sefali

News | 16 September 2014

Fighting for decent toilets in Gauteng schools

On 13 September Equal Education marched in Johannesburg for decent school sanitation in Gauteng. Brad Brockman, the organisation's General Secretary, explains the campaign.

Brad Brockman

Opinion | 16 September 2014

Mannenberg duo teach more than music

In a classroom at Phoenix Secondary School in Mannenberg, GroundUp spoke to Zakie Johnson and Aziza Davids. They are skilled participants working for the Community Work Programme, a poverty relief government initiative that provides a job safety net for the unemployed. The average daily rate is R63,18.

Katy Scott

News | 10 September 2014

What is UCT’s new admissions policy?

The University of Cape Town is changing its admissions policy to take into account disadvantage as well as race. The new policy is complex. We have tried here to explain it accurately and simply.

Katy Scott and GroundUp staff

Feature | 8 September 2014

Learners try to leave gangsters behind at Khayelitsha school

A year ago, Bulumko High School in Khayelitsha made the news when learners were afraid to go to classes because of gang fights that were happening inside the school and in the surrounding area.

Pharie Sefali

News | 4 September 2014

Education as an elixir for freedom

In 2010 there were 3228 matrics in Khayelitsha’s 19 high schools. They achieved just 44 ‘A’ symbols between them, in all subjects.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 4 September 2014

Zimbabweans form local study group

Zimbabwean teachers and students sometimes find it hard to integrate to South African schools. Established in January 2014, Par excellence is a study group with teachers and 20 Zimbabwean students located in Salt River. They are mainly high school repeaters and a few primary school children whose parents could not get places for them in major South African schools.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 2 September 2014

Daylight robbery at Nyanga school

On 20 August at Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga, an official from the Department of Education in Western Cape became a victim of a crime while he visited the school on official duties. The incident occurred in front of schoolchildren.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 21 August 2014

Delft teenager determined on success

“Some gangsters in my community have their reasons to be in gangs. I understand where they are coming from, but I choose to be different,” says Sibabalwe Mpetha.

Pharie Sefali

News | 21 August 2014

I am a sex worker …

Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) has staged a photo exhibition at its head office in Observatory, Cape Town, aimed at the ignorance and prejudice that comes with being labelled a sex worker.

Simbonile Mkwambi

News | 20 August 2014

New toilets for Khayelitsha creche

It’s an hour before snack time at the Sophumelela Day Care centre in Site C, Khayelitsha, and one of the toddlers has indicated to his teacher that he needs to use the toilet.

Barbara Maregele

News | 19 August 2014

Long walk to education

Ambition without education is like a boat on dry land. Many young learners in Nqutu, KwaZulu Natal know this well. To make sure they realize their dreams everyday they walk for hours to receive an education that may help them have a brighter future.

Sandile Ndlovu

Opinion | 29 July 2014

Minister promises to expand child support grant, but no tangible progress yet

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini announced plans in June to expand child support grant eligibility from age 18 to 23.

Michelle Korte

News | 25 July 2014

Teachers, students and parents demand toilets and libraries for schools

“Our school has four pit-toilets, two for the boys and two for the girls”, Yonela Jumba says. “These toilets are also used by the teachers.”

Koketso Moeti

News | 16 July 2014

The Week in Political Activism

This week we report arrests at a health demonstration in the Free State, the African Union’s recent move to immunise leaders from war crime prosecution, and an upcoming school infrastructure reform conference.

Michelle Korte

News | 10 July 2014