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Motshekga Commits To Eradicating Pit Latrines In Schools By Early 2022

Charles Molele
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Motshekga Commits To Eradicating Pit Latrines In Schools By Early 2022

SAMANTHA RIDDLE

THE Basic Education Department has set itself a deadline to completely eradicate pit toilets in schools.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has responded to a written question in Parliament, confirming plans to remove the dependency on pit toilets at the identified schools by early 2022.

The most recent statistics revealed that there are nearly 4 000 schools still making use of these toilets.

Motshekga has committed to eradicating pit latrines by March 2022.

Motshekga further commented that over 700 have been assessed and the sanitation facilities have been dubbed of ‘an appropriate standard’: “The remaining 2 746 schools require intervention to eradicate the dependency on basic pit toilets.”

The data revealed that the majority of these schools were situated in KwaZulu-Nata (1 168) and the Eastern Cape (997).

Limpopo had the highest number amongst the inland regions (298), the Free State has 123 and Mpumalanga has 106 while the North West has 55.

The DA-led Western Cape province has no pit latrines in schools with Gauteng also manage to eradicate the issue.

Director-General Mathanzima Mweli commented in the long road ahead to see the end of pit latrines: “What compounds our problem is that during the festive season the storms that we had destroyed many schools in KZN. Over a thousand schools were damaged in Ixopo.”

The official says that the state has allocated funds for three years to ensure schools have acceptable ablution facilities.

(SOURCE: BRIEFLY)

Women In STEM: Smashing The Glass Ceiling

Charles Molele
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Women In STEM: Smashing The Glass Ceiling

What needs to be done to ensure we get more women working in engineering and associated fields?  

With the growth in the engineering sector in the last few years, the requirement of additional workers has led to an increasingly diverse workforce especially with the inclusion of women.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) sector has traditionally been male dominated. There have been women pioneers such as Ada Lovelace, but they are not as widely discussed as Elon Musk or Tim Berners-Lee.

More women than ever are now choosing to take a job in STEM roles with a million women said to be working in the UK STEM sector.

Since 2016 the number of women working in STEM jobs has steadily increased. The sector is evolving from a male-centric one as women infiltrate the industry.

But there are still many obstacles women face within the industry such as sexism and concern over career progression opportunities.

There are relatively few female STEM role models. Findings show that women are more likely to get into a career in tech if they have had an inspirational figure to follow in the footsteps of.

Research also found that women working in STEM are more likely to recognise female icons rather than their male counterparts; they can name women such as DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin and fossil hunter Mary Anning.

But when the same respondents were asked if they could identify any women that they would recommend to inspire the next generation, only one in ten could name one. This highlights the lack of female icons within the industry right now, and the need for more women in STEM.

Educational roadblocks
The next generation of STEM starts at education, but this also seems to be where it hits a roadblock. In the UK, some 50 per cent of girls take GCSE physics, yet only 22 per cent of A-level physics entrants are female.

This may be because girls don’t know where their physics qualifications could get them. It could also be because they know the obstacles they will face.

A separate study from Microsoft found that 70 per cent of girls surveyed said they would consider a job in engineering if they knew men and women were equally employed.

The interest is there it just seems that as these girls get older, they find out about the hurdles they face which may put them off a career in engineering.

Constructing the future
One organisation helping the next generation of women to carve out opportunities in STEM and show them that there are already iconic women in the sector is STEMettes. A social enterprise, it runs a series of events and creates inspirational content platforms to encourage the next generation of STEM workers.

Co-founder Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon brought the idea to life after listening to a speech at a Celebration of Women in Computing forum, which made her reflect on her own experiences of being one of only three girls in a class of 70 studying maths and computer science at university.

Imafidon is a role model herself: she was a child prodigy and was one of the youngest people in the UK to pass two GCSEs in two different subjects in primary school.

She graduated at 20 and went on to work in major international companies like Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. She is now a keynote speaker and host of Women Tech Charge podcast.

Furthermore, her work helping young women was recognised in 2017 when she was awarded an MBE for services to young women within the STEM careers.

It’s important to have women building technology, because it’s something we use every day, it’s all around us. Women need to be involved in all areas of STEM.

Not just because they deserve to be there but because all genders should be represented in each STEM industry, allowing new and fresh ideas to be brought into the sector that will be relevant to many people in the world, not just the male population.

Teaching the future
In 2019 in the core STEM subjects, 35 per cent of students were female. Newcastle College is an establishment trying to boost the number of women in STEM.

The college has seen a 60 per cent rise in the number of females signing up to engineering courses, with new foundation degree courses in Offshore Renewables, Subsea Engineering and Rail Engineering expanding the portfolio of opportunities.

Teaching girls what is involved in STEM careers will surely help more women understand if that is the right career for them.

Civil engineer Jessica Green was put off a career in engineering because she thought it would mean spending her life ‘dressed in overalls working in tunnels’ but actually it’s just because engineering does not get the alluring descriptions and title that industries such as architecture receive.

It’s more important for women to get into STEM now than ever. Showing girls that there are women that have overcome obstacles in the industry and that have done well will inspire the next generation.

Creating role models for the next generation is important but we also need to show the world that women do belong in STEM roles, and those roles are not just for men.

  • Story By Rachel Gray of Newcastle College.

Seshego Teacher Named Among The Best In The World

Charles Molele
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Seshego Teacher Named Among The Best In The World

NGWANAMAGO Primary School teacher, Mokhudu Machaba, can now brag as one of the Top 10 teachers in the world.

The 46-year-old Seshego native has been acknowledged for her hard work and was named as one of the Top 10 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2020.

Mokhudu has been a teacher for 17 years and says she loves being a teacher as she unleashes learners’ potential and makes them better people who will contribute economically as responsible citizens.

Mokhudu told BONUS that she faced many childhood challenges on the road to achieve her own education.

During her childhood years, her school was situated seven or eight kilometers away from her home, and getting there involved crossing a river. She often had no shoes and used a rice sack as a school bag. Despite those challenges, Mokhudu was a top learner, but due to a lack of financial support, she had to take on various jobs to support herself. “Undertaking domestic work at the age of 19 to fund my studies showed my parents how serious I was about being a teacher, and eventually, I was able to go to a technical college to study a child care course, followed by the Soweto College of Education for a teaching qualification,” she said.

She says she heard about the competition, entered and made it through the Top 50 and was then selected for the Top 10.

The awards were hosted online from London’s Natural History Museum on Thursday, 3 December and hosted by British actor, Stephen Fry, where Ranjitsinh Disale from India was announced as the million dollar winner.

During the ceremony, Mokhudu’s inspirational video mentioned that she has the lives of people distilled in her hands, which she carries in her heart.

“Critical, creative and collaborative thinking is key and learners are very proud to have their indigenous knowledge implemented in the classroom. This is the digital age, and if learners cannot compete with their peers globally, they will find themselves left behind.”

Though she did not win the overall competition, Mokhudu was the only teacher in South Africa who had been selected.

The MEC for Education, Polly Boshielo, shared her elation at Mokhudu’s achievement and she said she’s thrilled to have one of Limpopo’s own recognised on a global scale for her determination to help children rise above challenges presented to them.

“It is a recognition that comes after her unwavering determination to use information communication technology to improve teaching and learning in an environment where resources are limited. Mokhudu started out with just a single cellphone for internet access in class and went on to win prizes for integrating ICT in the classroom. We are proud of her that she made it to the finals. We were behind her all the way and rooted for the overall winner position,” Boshielo said.

(SOURCE: REVIEW)

Wits Staff, Academics and Students Bid Farewell To Professor Adam Habib

Charles Molele
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Wits Staff, Academics and Students Bid Farewell To Professor Adam Habib

ACADEMICS, students and members of staff have bid farewell to Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib, who will leave Wits University at the end of December.

“It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve at the helm of this great institution for the past eight years. I have great faith in the collective Wits community – during difficult times you have always made the right decision and empowered me to act in the best interests of Wits University. I thank you for your support and your trust,” says Habib.

Habib is leaving the University after eight years and will join the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) based in London. Top nuclear physicist Professor Zeblon Vilakazi will succeed Habib as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits from 1 January 2021.

Tributes have been pouring in for Habib from academics, employees, students, staff, alumni, donors, ministers and fellow vice-chancellors from within and beyond South Africa’s borders, some of which are reflected hereunder.

The Chairperson of Council, Mr Isaac Shongwe says: “Adam has been one of the most vociferous leaders of this great University, and indeed the entire higher education sector. He is a courageous leader who speaks truth to power, who holds the state to account, and who calls out threats to society when others are afraid to do so. We will miss his leadership and all that he has done for Wits and our country.”

During Habib’s tenure the University has recorded significant achievements. Wits’ research output has increased, it has expanded its footprint in international journals and throughput rates are steadily rising. Wits’ finances are stable and it has strong, independent governance structures in place.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande thanks Habib for his contribution to the higher education sector and describes him as a “fiery character who is not afraid to enter the fray not just as an academic, but also as a political commentator and an intellectual activist”.

(SOURCE: Wits University)

Motshekga Thanks Parents for Trusting Basic Education, Mourns Teachers Who Died of COVID-19

Charles Molele
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Motshekga Thanks Parents for Trusting Basic Education, Mourns Teachers Who Died of COVID-19

NYAKALLO TEFU

AT least 1 493 teachers have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other conditions in the year 2020, according to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

The number includes workers at various schools and officials in circuits, district offices and provincial departments.

Motshekga briefed the media on Thursday morning on the state of readiness for the 2021 academic year.

“Let us pause and thank our teachers, who worked tirelessly; some of them for 7 days, sacrificing their precious time to ensure that teaching and learning continues, even under trying circumstances.  Thank you, and thank you again,” said Motshekga.

The minister said schools officially closed on 15 December, adding that learners from Grade R to 1 are to receive their end of the year reporters by end of the year.

“I wish to stress that schools are not allowed by law, to withhold reports for whatever reason.  We continue to receive complaints from parents, whose children have not been given reports,” said Motshekga.

Motshekga has announced that all systems go for the year 2021.

She said schools will reopen on January 25 for teachers and learners are expected back in classroom by January 27.

“All provinces have finalised admission processes. District offices will be available to assist parents where the need arises,” said Motshekga.

Motshekga added that in the year 2021, her department is set to maintain the delicate balance of health and safety in schools and also ensure that they plug on gaps for curriculum recovery which they have been able to successfully during the 2020 academic year.

(SOURCE: INSIDE POLITICS)

Basic Education Concerned About ‘Credibility’ of Leaked Exam Papers Following High Court Ruling

Charles Molele
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Basic Education Concerned About ‘Credibility’ of Leaked Exam Papers Following High Court Ruling

NYAKALLO TEFU

THE Department of Basic Education has expressed concern about the credibility of the matric examinations after the High Court in Pretoria declared its decision to force matric exams rewrite as irregular and unlawful.

The high court ruled that the Department’s decision to order the rewrite was unlawful and irregular following an urgent court application by Afriforum, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), and other concerned parties.

Both Mathematics and Physical Science papers were leaked on the day of the examinations, prompting an investigation by the Department of Basic Education and the Hawks.

“After a meeting with Ministers and MEC’s on Saturday, the Director General has been advised not to challenge the court’s judgement, that matriculants should not re-write the two leaked papers,” said basic education’s spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.
Mhlanga confirmed that there would be no re-write of the two leaked exam papers, adding that this was a difficult decision for the court to make.

Teachers’ unions and civil organizations argued that it was not fair for all learners to be punished for what some of the learners did.

“The difficulty about the judgement is that it has plunged the Basic Education sector and to some extentthe education and training system in South Africa into an unprecedented crisis,” said Mhlanga.

Afriforum, Sadtu and others argued in court that the Department had not completed the investigation and said this deemed the conclusion as illegal.

“As indicated in our answering document, we could not determine the extent of the leak and that makes it difficult to even anticipate to what the statement of Umalusi is going to be in this regard,” added Mhlanga.
Mhlanga said if the extent of the leak is unknown, then a re-write is the next best decision.

(SOURCE: INSIDE EDUCATION)

22-year-old Sekedi Mabatha Makes History As University of Limpopo’s First Female Chairperson

Charles Molele
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22-year-old Sekedi Mabatha Makes History As University of Limpopo’s First Female Chairperson

SEKEDI Mabatha was inaugurated during a recent virtual ceremony by the office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mahlo Mokgalong.

The historic milestone came after the scheduled 2020/21 SRC elections could not take place, leading into a vigorous process of consultations and nominations by students and student structures for membership to the TSRC.

Born in Mohlaletse, the 22-year-old agricultural management student was more than ecstatic to hear of her election. “It’s such an honour and it’s very overwhelming to have been chosen, but I’m eager to learn leadership skills which will enhance my capabilities as chairperson.

“My responsibilities on campus will be the strong bridge between management and the students, meaning that we will be taking students grievances to management and helping find a solution,” Sekedi said.

Sekedi explains that as an TSRC member, she is considered to be a statutory structure as provided for in the Higher Education Act. She offers a variety of services to individual students and different student groups and, in offering these services, she exercises political, economic and administrative authority in order to manage the activities of student life.

As such, the TSRC is the highest decision-making structure of student governance within their campus. She tells BONUS that the new TSRC is ready to overcome any challenges and work to the best of their abilities to ensure that students’ needs are met and says they are mindful of the depth of the challenges that confront them.

“The road ahead will be difficult and hard, but we will have to use our courage, wisdom and resolve to attain the dreams we have for the UL’s student community,” she said.

She advised her peers that good working relations and respect with colleagues will do their dreams justice. “Have passion to work for people and assist them,” she said.

She adds that their priority involves transforming the institution to adapt to the new normal and advance the development of online learning, while ensuring that students remain protected from the virus through the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipping laboratories for smooth practical sessions.

“I am very grateful to be the first female leader in 61 years of the institution’s existence. It shows that times are changing, and that the oppression of women is gradually becoming a thing of the past,” she said.

(SOURCE: REVIEW ONLINE)

Opinion: Higher Education, Unfinished Business Of Transformation

Charles Molele
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Opinion: Higher Education, Unfinished Business Of Transformation

UNIVERSITY of Zululand’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Mashupye Ratale Kgaphola, shares his views on transformation in South Africa’s higher education.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation recently released a report of a ministerial task team, whose core mandate was to investigate the paucity and marginalisation of South African black academics in our universities.

The investigation has laid bare the harsh realities and the systemic barriers that are still faced by black students and academics across the system. Indeed, much of what has been exposed has been the cry of many in the post-1994 era, but which was so often muffled under the pretext of ‘transformation plans’.

Arguably, the report raises not only educational transformation issues, but fundamentally suggests some discomforting political and sociological questions.

One of these questions relates to the extent to which black academics and education activists may have, perhaps unwittingly, demobilised in relation to the transformation agenda.

Taking account of only permanent South African staff, and using the comparative figures of 2007 and 2017, a number of broad trends emerge from the report.

Black academics across the university system increased from 39% in 2007 to 53% in 2017, while white academics decreased from 61% to 47% during the same period. But the bigger story lies beneath the aggregated figures.

In general, historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) carry the highest proportion of black academics, while historically advantaged institutions have the lowest percentage of blacks.

The latter group varies from 5.1% at Stellenbosch University to 32% at the University of Johannesburg in terms of black academics. Male staff overall held a greater proportion of doctoral degrees than female staff.

Consequently, male staff dominated the senior positions while females dominate the junior levels. In terms of South African staff, 52.6% of white staff held doctorates.

African, Coloured and Indian staff with doctorates comprised 30%, 38.1% and 41% of their respective groups. Trends with regard to postgraduate enrolment are not encouraging.

A 2015 study on the retention, completion and progress rates of SA postgraduate students shows that the postgraduate pipeline in South Africa decreases substantially as students progress from undergraduate to postgraduate studies.

The majority of students who did doctoral study did so part-time, resulting in the completion time averages of five years instead of the regular three years.

African and Coloured students have the lowest completion rates, followed by Indians, while white students have the highest throughput rates.

Overall, there has been a growth in absolute numbers of doctoral graduates across all fields of study in the country during the period 2000–2017.

That said, there is however a serious and urgent concern in that the proportion of South Africans as a percentage of the total doctoral graduates has decreased drastically in this period from 81% to 57%.

Worse, it has been projected that, on the current trend, the number of international doctoral graduates will surpass the number of their South African peers by 2021.

The challenge now is for the university sector to do an introspection and ask how we can improve our performance for the long-term benefit of our nation and our very institutions.

Surely history has taught us enough to know that any institutional stability that is imbedded on an injustice is akin to a house built on sand.  

(SOURCE:  ZululandObserver)

Former SA Schools Captain Reported Missing

Charles Molele
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Former SA Schools Captain Reported Missing

FORMER SA Schools captain and Jeppe High School head boy Muzi Manyike is still reportedly missing.

Manyike’s agents, In Touch Sports, announced on 8 September that the youngster was set to join the South African Sevens Academy. He was also invited to a Junior Springboks training camp in February, but had to withdraw due to injury.

His contract with the Lions concluded on 31 October, but an early release was granted at the player’s request.

Manyike is understood to have last been seen in Pretoria North on 18 November.

‘I’ve been in consistent contact with Muzi’s parents over the past few days,’ Manyike’s agent Kobus Porter told Sport24. ‘They became very concerned by the end of last week about his continued absence and got in contact with us. We’re all extremely concerned and his family, who’ll receive all our support, is in everyone’s thoughts.’

Previously, Manyike represented the Golden Lions at U12, U13, U16 and U18 levels, captaining the U16 team in 2016. He was elected as head boy of Jeppe High in 2018, when he played for the Lions’ Craven Week squad for a second time and earned a place as vice-captain of SA Schools, leading the team against Wales.

The 20-year-old utility back, who played most of his schoolboy rugby at centre, also represented South Africa’s U17 and U18 sevens team, winning the Capricorn sevens tournament in Windhoek in 2016.

A missing person’s report was reportedly filed for Manyike on 10 November at the Randfontein SAPS.

Anyone with any information on Manyike’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the authorities immediately or can contact Douglas at 071 334 7531.

(SOURCE: SARUGBYMAG)

Three North West Matric Pupils Die In Crash On School Trip

Charles Molele
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Three North West Matric Pupils Die In Crash On School Trip

NORTH West Education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela has set up a team to probe whether a school trip that claimed the lives of three Grade 12 learners was authorised, she said on Saturday.

“I have set up a team that is going to do the investigations that will take into consideration the question that the trip was sanctioned because there are directives that we have sent to schools since the beginning of the [Covid-19] pandemic,” she said after visiting the families of the learners.

“And some of the directives include sport activities, the extra mural activities that take into considerations the school trips.”

Three Grade 12 learners at Rethusegile High School in Lethabong north-east of Rustenburg died on Friday night when their minbus taxi overturned on the R511 road about 25km from Lethabong.

Matsemela said all school trips must be authorised by the head of department.

A group of 42 learners travelling in three minibus taxis attended the matric farewell function in Brits.

On their way back home, one of the drivers lost control of the minibus taxi and it rolled, claiming the lives of Ikageng Nkosi, 18, Tshepiso Moagi, 21, and Amogelang Diphoko, 20.

Eleven others were injured and admitted to the Brits District Hospital, where they were reported to be in a stable condition. One of the pupils have been discharged.

“We have lost as a department of education in the North West province,” Matsemela said.

“We did not expect any learner after this critical year to die at this stage, after writing the examination all of us understand that this year it has been difficult at the Grade 12…and instead of them reaping the fruits of their efforts we found today that they are no more.”

Matsemela also visited the injured learners in hospital.

According to the learners’ family they were all happy and looking forward to celebrating their last year at high school.

Joseph Nkosi, 54, describe the death of his son Ikageng, as a great lost.

“He was an obedient child, and was accepted to study at the University of Johannesburg. He wanted to be a teacher,” he said of his last born child.

Tshepiso Moagi’s sister Boitumelo Moagi said she was reluctant to allow her younger brother to attend the function.

“I did not want him to go to the function but, he told us it is the last chance for him to bid his friends and schoolmates a ‘final good bye’. He was in a jovial mood when he left,” she said.

Amogelang Diphoko was excited to be part of the trip, his sister Neo Sekano said.

“He was excited about the trip, financial challenges nearly derailed his trip but, he insisted in going whether he did not have all that was wanted for the trip. He wanted to attend at all cost,” she said.

(SOURCE: OGENEAFRICASA)

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