A “massive reading campaign” for South African schools announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 has never got off the ground, despite triumphant claims in Parliament by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Viewfinder and GroundUp can reveal that the Department’s National Reading Plan – which it had not made publicly available – is a […]

There may be changes on the horizon for school holidays as the Department of Basic Education published proposed changes to the National Policy for Determining School Calendars for Public Schools in South Africa for public comment. THE CHANGES COME AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The changes are being suggested as a result of the past […]

Universities had to deal with many anxieties and uncertainties during the early days of the COVID pandemic. One of these was how to move all of their teaching online. For some, the process was fairly simple as they had already been offering blended online and in-person lessons. But many were caught on the wrong foot. […]

The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal reportedly plans to close down over 900 rural schools. SABC News reports that a KZN Department of Education team visited the province on 5 May 2023. The visit was to monitor the improvement of education in KwaZulu-Natal. ALSO READ: Schools, hospitals and police stations to be exempted from load shedding KZN […]

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has urged all parents and guardians to ensure that they register their children early for the 2024 academic year. Learner admission for the 2024 academic year in the province opened on 12 April 2023 and the closing date for the administration of admissions is 30 September 2023. Education MEC, Mbali […]

The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service welcomed young and old to their fire stations last week to celebrate International Firefighter’s Day.  The open day attracted hundreds of little ones and their parents and caregivers to the stations where they could learn more about the service and what the firefighters do.  Mayoral Committee […]

When children steal, naturally parents can be very concerned. They might wonder if they’ve taught their child correctly, whether it’s just a phase or whether they’re going to have a young offender on their hands. But before parents panic, they need to consider why their child may have taken something that doesn’t belong to them. […]

Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistently low mood or loss of interest in activities. It causes significant impairment in daily life. Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. It’s a major mental illness that largely goes undiagnosed. Survey estimates put the lifetime risk of depression […]

Gauteng Province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth to work in the energy space, installing solar panels. Gauteng Province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth to work in the energy space, installing solar panels. Image via Pexels. Gauteng province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth within the province to be trained as […]

How much time did your child spend looking at a screen today? The answer likely depends on how old they are, what grade they’re in at school and what rules you have in place at home about screen time. But the reality is that for children and adolescents growing up as “digital natives”, it is […]

At least six teachers at different schools in the Eastern Cape are under investigation for assault and corporal punishment. This was revealed by provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima this week. The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is investigating at least six teachers at different schools for assault and corporal punishment. This comes two […]

According to Baxolile ‘Bax’ Nodada MP – DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, KZN schools are still without food. About 540 schools in KwaZulu-Natal are still not providing meals to some 30 000 learners as part of the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The DA will request the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) to […]

Article originally published on GroundUp By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is investigating at least six teachers at different schools for assault and corporal punishment. This comes two weeks after matriculants at a school in KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere, accused the principal of beating them with a hose pipe after they […]

Sexual grooming is a pervasive issue that affects children all over the world, and South Africa is no exception. byGCIS Vuk’uzenzele 02-05-2023 15:47 in News Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele. Parents and caregivers should make sure that their children do not fall prey to sexual groomers. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says sexual grooming occurs when […]

The Pyramids of Giza are some of the most recognizable structures in the world. Located in Egypt, they were built more than 4,500 years ago and continue to intrigue people to this day. Despite being studied and researched extensively, there are still mysteries surrounding these ancient wonders. In this article, we will explore 10 interesting facts […]

The SIU has commended UJ for returning R311 million to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) made up of unallocated student funds. University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Aurobindo Ogra The University of Johannesburg has returned R311 million to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which […]

For many young South Africans, a qualification is perceived to be the passport to a good job and decent salary, opening the way to a better life for them and their families. South Africa’s private higher education sector has grown rapidly since 1994, when the education system began to expand under democracy. The number and […]

Vodacom, a leading South African telecommunications company, has announced the opening of its 2024 Merit Bursary Programme. Vodacom leads the telecoms industry in LGBTIQ+ diversity and inclusion. Photo: Vodacom VODACOM IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2024 MERIT BURSARY PROGRAMME AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICANTS IS THE 31 AUGUST 2023. The bursary is open to […]

Just 45 minutes a day in a “Whistle Stop School” is helping primary school learners in Makhanda beat South Africa’s alarming literacy statistics. A partnership between an education organisation and a primary school in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, is showing dramatic results in teaching children to read. The “Whistle Stop School” run by community organisation GADRA […]

Watch news in a minute for a summary of NMU security guard graduates while working 12-hours per day story. Ntombovuyo Happy Ntshangase, 38, who works a 12-hour shift per day at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). Image: Pixabay NEWS IN A MINUTE: Listen or watch the full versions of the ‘‘NMU security guard graduates while working […]

The consultation sessions where the public can make oral submissions on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (also known as the BELA Bill) will resume on 5 May 2023. The notification in this regard with dates and venues has just been released by the secretary of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. Alana Bailey, […]

Take a look at what happened on this day, 25 April in history. From a variety of achievements, and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today. Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day ON THIS DAY: 25 APRIL […]

South African design creatives are using their craft to express their freedom as the country commemorates Freedom Month in April. Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele. You can express your freedom as a South African creative through art and design. Almost three decades ago, South Africa gained its freedom when it held its first democratic elections in 1994. […]

Zintle James, a 24-year-old pig farmer from Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape, has embarked on a journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele. Young pig farmer Zintle James (24) is on an inspired journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Originally from Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape, James began her enterprise in 2020 when […]

A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation has found that at least 40 000 students were possibly funded inappropriately by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), at a cost of some R5 billion. The SIU on Tuesday said these students are from households that earn more than the cut off of R350 000 and “therefore would […]