Stellenbosch University (SU) has apologised to students at some residences after it was found that their rights were violated in 2021 over the ban that had been imposed on the use of Afrikaans when they were instructed to speak only English during their welcoming period. The effect of this policy was that some newcomer students […]

South Australia’s royal commission into early childhood education led by Julia Gillard has released an interim report. The key recommendation is preschool for all three-year-olds (in a move similar to other states). But the report notes one of the critical considerations around this change will be the early education workforce. SA’s report comes as the […]

The National Skills Fund is expected to launch a training package in digital skills for unemployed youth in the country. This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter. According to the President, the move is aimed at ensuring that as investment into the digital economy continues to grow, South Africans are able […]

Since it is clear that the Criminal Justice System fails victims of sexual offences, AfriForum advises schools, teachers, parents and learners to act proactively against sexual bullying behaviour. This follows reporting as well as Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education’s reaction in parliament last week about the increase in sexual offences in South African schools. […]

Tangible coding, which was predominantly used in a pilot project by the Department of Basic Education last year to introduce 21st century skills to primary school learners across the country, has proven to be an excellent tool for the diverse South African school landscape. Various coding platforms were introduced to 23 636 teachers across the […]

A law graduate who has a “predisposition to bouts of extreme anger and disrespect” is not a fit and proper person to be enrolled as an attorney, the Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled. A bad-tempered, disrespectful law graduate is not fit and proper to be admitted as an attorney, the Supreme Court of Appeal […]

Excellent teachers can change our lives. Researchers have shown that good teachers encourage us to think critically, reflect and learn across disciplines. These are all skills that can set us up for life. I have had the privilege of being taught by a few brilliant teachers in my life, and I have also observed teaching […]

The restoration of Mostert’s Mill, the iconic 200-year-old windmill destroyed by the April 2021 UCT fire, is almost complete. The mill’s propellers were fitted on Wednesday, a big step forward in the project. Mostert’s Mill is one of several historical buildings damaged by the fire. Others include De Meule, the house behind the mill, Cadboll […]

Five students from different walks of life are starting out their tertiary studies in Computing Sciences this year, following their introduction to coding by Tangible Africa… writes CINDY PRELLER. The award-winning offline coding movement, an engagement project of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation, has for the past two years […]

Kevin Hart, comedian and Hollywood box office powerhouse, recently surprised a bunch of school kids in South Africa when he secretly visited Masibambane College in Orange Farm, as a guest of Education Africa. Several schools from St John’s College (which partners with Education Africa to ensure high standards are maintained) to Leshata and Jabulile secondary […]

Beàtha Groenewald, secretary of the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom Student Campus Council (SCC), has resigned after NWU’s alleged bully behaviour made her position unbearable. Groenewald was initially dismissed on 13 February after a decision was made that students from town residence would be excluded from the Puk’s welcoming function, based on their racial composition. She […]

South Africa is joining the global community to observe International Childhood Cancer Day to raise awareness and improve understanding of childhood cancer. International Childhood Cancer Day is observed annually across the world on February 15, with this year’s campaign observed under the #ThroughTheirHands theme, which focuses on paying tribute to the families and caregivers, and […]

Nearly 80% of medical students who took part in the first South African study of its kind said they had experienced mistreatment by doctors. A recently published study found that medical student mistreatment was highly prevalent at a South African medical school in 2018. Trainee doctors showed signs of high levels of psychological distress and reported the […]

Various residences at Stellenbosch University have again allegedly implemented a widespread ban on even the informal use of Afrikaans during the university’s welcoming period. The DA says it is appalled and is demanding the “immediate release” of the SAHRC report. “The information in the DA’s possession indicates that this latest ban on Afrikaans is even […]

Fewer primary school children can read for meaning now than before the Covid pandemic, and most children entering grade two do not know the alphabet. But despite a literacy crisis, there is no national reading plan, no proper budget, no accurate reporting, and no progress on implementing vital interventions. Basic literacy among children in South […]

Gqeberha parents of children who have autism are up in arms with the provincial education department and believe more should be done to create more placements at Quest School for Learners with Autism. Gqeberha parents of children who have autism want the provincial education department to do more to create more placements at Quest School […]

The Free State Department of Education has instituted an investigation into an alleged incident of corporal punishment administered last week by the principal of Ntsu Secondary School in Bethlehem in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District. In a statement, department spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, said corporal punishment against any learner is condemned in the harshest possible terms. Corporal punishment […]

While Felicia didn’t know much about 4IR last year, along with more than 100 of her peers – women over 50 years of age living in some of the most crime-ridden areas of the Western Cape – she can now not only code successfully but also train other people in her community. The unlikely demographic […]

The City of Cape Town is excited to embark on its Digital Internship Programme to help build much-needed skills in South Africa. The graduate programme has attracted applications from more than 790 graduates, which confirm the City is a sought-after employer. ‘The graduate programme has attracted more than 790 applicants from universities across the Western […]

The Zwelethemba High School (ZHS) robotics team is gearing up to jet-off to Massachusetts in the United States of America (USA) in a couple of months. The Einsteins, as they are affectionately known, have been selected as one of the best performing teams to participate in the US Robotics Open Tournament in June… writes Khwezi […]

Despite the South African Class of 2022 doing the last two and half years of their schooling under intermittent COVID-19 lockdowns, school closures and various difficulties, including curriculum trimming, they kept their heads up and still emerged victorious. Most of the top achievers of this cohort agree that the pandemic and the constant load shedding […]

Every January, the day arrives that South Africans know can decide their fates: the “matric” exam results are announced. In 2022, 753,964 full-time and 167,915 part-time candidates registered to write the secondary school exit exam – the largest cohort ever. They’ll receive the results on 20 January 2023. Many probably feel ambivalent about this massive […]

South Africa’s Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has wished the 2022 matric class well as learners await the announcement of their examination results. Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, is expected to make the announcement later this afternoon in Johannesburg. How to check your matric results According to Matric College to check your […]

Siyabonga Lusaseni (11) is a bright and lively Grade 6 student at Pinelands North Primary School in Pinelands, Cape Town, who comes from a loving family in the Khayelitsha community. In his 5 years at Pinelands North Primary School, Siya has touched many hearts with his positive deposition and excellent work ethic, including his former […]

When holidays roll around, many parents begin to appreciate just how tenacious teachers have to be to keep children engaged for weeks at a time. Some, faced with children they describe as “too playful”, “restless” or even “destructive”, may turn to home tutors, holiday lessons at schools or unregulated television viewing. But holidays should be […]