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Certain schools closed in KZN for SADTU strike

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Certain schools closed in KZN for SADTU strike

Charlene Somduth

While some in KZN have closed their doors today due to the COSATU strike, the KZN Education Department said it was not aware of it.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joined  COSATU’s national strike.

In a statement, general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, of SADTU said they were an affiliate of COSATU.

“We are opposed to privatisation which can be best described as digital capitalism, retrenchments, casualisation and labour broking. We are going to come out in numbers to show our contempt against these.”

Malueke said in the education sector, their members continue to teach overcrowded classrooms or mass meetings due to post provisioning norms that create fewer teaching posts.

” Huge class size or over-crowded classrooms have a huge impact on learner achievement and this remains a great problem for education. For effective teaching to take place, the government should employ more teachers.”

He said schools have become unsafe places for both the teachers and learners.

“Schools are targeted by criminals who steal.  We will use the march to call for increased safety measures in our schools and to urge communities as well as government to protect them.”

The spokesperson for the Department of Education Muzi Mhlambi said the department was not aware of any schools being closed.

WATCH: Protest action at TUT campuses throughout Tshwane

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WATCH: Protest action at TUT campuses throughout Tshwane

Goitsemang Tlhabye 

Protest action that saw the closure of Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Mbombela campus on Thursday – saw brief disruptions at the universities campuses in the capital city.

A number of the university’s campuses including Ga-rankuwa, Arcadia and the main campus in Pretoria West experienced cancellation of academic activities as student representatives demonstrated at the entrances.

By noon activities at Arcadia, Ga-rankuwa and even the Soshanguve campuses, under the watch of heavy security personnel, were slowing getting back to normal.

However students at the university’s main campus could be seen driving out, trying to catch public transport or simply loitering around, as classes had to be suspended.

Kingsley Baloyi, chairperson of the EFF Student Command (EFFSC), said the students were protesting because they were being undermined by the university, which Baloyi claimed refused to engage student structures

He said students were missing classes standing in queues to sort out issues of being blocked by the university.

Another issue he said they were crying for was student allowance allocation, as first year students were being given a R5 000 book allowance, while senior students had to struggle to make do with R2 500.

This was something senior students felt was unfair and creating unnecessary animosity between students, Baloyi said.

“We want equality as these people are dividing students because of this. Even though the R5 000 in itself is not enough but at least give everyone the same amount.”

Baloyi said the students would not stop until financially excluded students were absorbed and allowances of R5 000 were paid to all.

Issues of accommodation were also touched upon as Baloyi said young female students who had to find accommodation outside were often attacked trying to make their way to lectures and back.

Mpumalanga school for disabled kids robbed and vandalised

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Mpumalanga school for disabled kids robbed and vandalised

Nonkululeko Njilo  

The Mpumalanga education department said it was disturbed after robbers vandalised Tsakane Special School in Acornhoek at the weekend and stole equipment meant for disabled pupils.

“The perpetrator took almost every resource meant to teach learners with severe intellectual disability‚ as well as admin equipment‚” said department spokesperson Jasper Zwane‚ adding that the security guard on duty was assaulted.

A criminal case has been opened. “Police are working around the clock to apprehend the culprits and are calling on anyone with information to contact them‚” said Zwane.

“The department is really concerned about this incident and has pledged to work with the law enforcement authorities to bring to book those that are behind this.”

The school was opened four years ago and caters for 200 learners with severe intellectual disabilities.

The department said the incident not only set them back but deprived learners of their constitutional right to education and further robbed them of a brighter future.

Africa Play brings fun back into learning

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Africa Play brings fun back into learning

Staff Reporter

In the near future, classrooms will be vibrant spaces where fun and acquiring knowledge blend seamlessly as the Basic Education Department wants to make play a fundamental block of learning.

Following the President’s announcement at the State of the Nation Address that Early Childhood Education (ECD) centres will migrate from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, Minister Angie Motshekga has hit the ground running.

On Monday, the Basic Education Minister announced that South Africa will host the Africa Play conference from 25-27 February 2019.

The Africa Play Conference, the first of its kind in Africa, will explore how learning through play can improve the quality of early childhood development and become an integral part of education systems.

“It gives us great pleasure to announce that we will be hosting the first ever international Africa Play conference with our esteemed partners – UNICEF, the Lego foundation, and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).

“We are at the cusp of greatness and this is one of those developments that gives us great hope that we are getting there,” said the Minister.

Set in a playful atmosphere, the conference will bring together 400 thought leaders, educators, policy makers and researchers from around the world to discuss, share insights and inspire new ideas and ways of learning that will equip children all over Africa to become creative and engaged lifelong learners.

The conference is in light of a growing body of research that points to play-based learning as a key means of improving children’s academic performance and personal development.

“As government, we are paving the way towards 21st century opportunities by preparing our children in the four critical areas, namely the 4Cs – collaboration and teamwork; creativity and imagination; critical thinking and communication,” said the Minister.

Lego Foundation representative Michael Reinvillard kicked off the event by giving delegates Lego blocks to play with to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of learning.

“It is important that play is incorporated in the learning environment of children, as play is the first thing that children use to learn,” he said.

UNICEF South Africa representative Sanjay Wijesekera said by placing play at the core of learning, children will learn skills that they will require to join the workforce in the 21st century.

At the conference, Ministers will have space to caucus amongst themselves, give reflections on the three-day conference and finally co-create a communique on embracing learning through play for quality improvement. – SAnews.gov.za

PUMA School of Speed heads to Kings Park

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PUMA School of Speed heads to Kings Park

Staff Reporter

The action packed PUMA School of Speed #3 heads to Kings Park Athletics Stadium on Saturday, 9 February at 11am, where junior track and field stars will get to follow in the footsteps of the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt.

Launched in November 2016, the series is committed to the development of athletics talent in South Africa by discovering the fastest young speedsters.

Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports said they were excited to see what Durban athletes had in store for them this weekend.

Junior track and field stars can look forward to meeting South African middle-distance runner and 2019 PUMA School of Speed vice principal, Gena Löfstrand at the stadium. According to Löfstrand, the series is a great platform for up-and-coming athletes to showcase their talent and all the hard work that they’ve put into their sport.

PUMA ambassador and South African Paralympic shot-putter, Tyrone Pillay will also show his support at the PUMA School of Speed #3.

ALSO READ: Swimmer takes on eight mile challenge

“I’ve been part of the PUMA team since 2013. PUMA supported me when no one even knew who I was. Being a PUMA ambassador and being supported by the best brand in the game is a great privilege and honor. The PUMA School of Speed Series is a great initiative that is definitely needed to help identify South Africa’s young talent. I’m looking forward to seeing some great talent being unearthed from this event. My advice to juniors is to always believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams,” he said.

Events on the day include 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump, high jump, 100m hurdles (boys 15, girls 17 and 19 only), 90m hurdles (girls 15 only) and 90m hurdles (girls 15 only) and 110m hurdles (boys 17 and 19 only).

All entrants will stand a chance to be scouted and contracted to the PUMA Squad. The contract will be for the duration of one calendar year.

No cost for athletes to enter the event. Enter online:www.schoolofspeed.com. Athlete entries close two days prior to each event.

Entry fee for spectators is R20 for adults and R10 for children.

Contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045, via emailinfo@schoolofspeed.com or visit www.schoolofspeed.com.

Students shut down TUT Soshanguve campus

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Students shut down TUT Soshanguve campus

Pertunia Mafokwane

Students at the Tshwane University of Technology in Soshanguve north of Pretoria have threatened to shut down the institution if management did not respond to their grievances by Wednesday.

Students, led by EFF Student Command, submitted a memorandum where they listed their complaints and demanded that they be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Among their grievances, students demanded the institution to admit all first year students who had applied for courses last year and to waive off financial exclusions.

“We demand that students who are financially excluded based on owing tuition fees be allowed to register with or without settling their debts… We are here because we are frustrated by the tenacious failure of the (TUT) management to attend to pressing matters,” read part of the memorandum.

Addressing students gathered outside the small gate of the campus, EFF chairperson Kamogelo Maila said black students at the institution had been sidelined for a many years.

“If they do not respond within 48 hours, we will retaliate. We have been discriminated against long enough. You are not doing this for yourself only but your offspring as well,” he said.

TUT joined several other universities around the country that have been shut down by student protests over similar grievances.

Public schools to go digital within six years: Cyril Ramaphosa

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Public schools to go digital within six years: Cyril Ramaphosa

Staff Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will digitise the public school education system over the next six years.

Delivering his state of the nation address on Thursday night, Ramaphosa said the basic education department would provide pupils with digital textbooks and tablet devices.

“We will provide every school child in SA with digital workbooks and textbooks on a tablet device.

“We will start with those schools that have been historically most disadvantaged and are located in the poorest communities, including multi-grade, multi-phase, farm and rural schools,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa said 90% of textbooks in high-enrolment subjects across all grades and all workbooks have already been digitised.

“In line with our ‘Framework for Skills for a Changing World’, we are expanding the training of both educators and learners to respond to emerging technologies including the internet of things, robotics and artificial intelligence,” he explained.

Ramaphosa also revealed that to expand pupil participation in the technical streams, several ordinary public schools will be transformed into technical high schools.

“Several new technology subjects and specialisations will be introduced, including technical mathematics and technical sciences, maritime sciences, aviation studies, mining sciences and aquaponics,” he added.

The president said he would also be establishing a presidential commission on the fourth industrial revolution.

“Comprised of eminent persons drawn from different sectors of society, the commission will serve as a national overarching advisory mechanism on digital transformation.

“It will identify and recommend policies, strategies and plans that will position SA as a global competitive player within the digital revolution space,” he said.

Listen to the full audio:

 

#DUTShooting: Returning university staff fear for their safety

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#DUTShooting: Returning university staff fear for their safety

Mphathi Nxumalo

As Durban University of Technology (DUT) staff return to work Monday, many have expressed concern about doing so as they fear for their safety in the aftermath of last week’s violent student protests.

They felt the institution’s security company did not have the capacity to protect them.

Last week’s protests resulted in many tertiary institutions around the province shutting down after the violence escalated. DUT student Mlungisi Madonsela was shot dead during an alleged altercation between students and campus security, which resulted in stones being thrown and shots fired. A university employee was also seriously injured during this altercation.

An employee, who did not want to be named as she was not authorised to speak to the media, said: “On Monday (today) we are due back at work and nothing has been said about improving safety in the building. The private campus security (members) are the same who shot a student, and we doubt that they are able to provide adequate protection for staff. We are scared of returning, and we don’t know who to turn to,” she said.

She added that the staff member who had been injured worked in the same building she did and had sustained serious injuries to her head, which required an operation that lasted five hours. She said she was in a critical condition.

She also said staff who worked at Open House annexure building, on the Steve Biko campus, had not received any counselling.

The building houses Student Governance, unions, and the Nursing Department, among others.

Other staff also expressed similar safety concerns. Some said they feared being surrounded by students who were capable of “smashing a woman’s face in” and attacking other people who went to help her.

In response, DUT spokesperson Alan Khan said only administrative staff and Human Resources staff would be working today. He said the institution had made counselling available to staff and students who were traumatised by last week’s events.

Khan said they had talks with the Student Representative Council last week, and it was agreed the institution would open so that students could fix their National Student Financial Aid Scheme issues and accommodation problems.

The academic programme was still suspended, he said. Khan added that safety and security was important to the institution and that the SAPS public order policing unit would be on campus.

Lundi Mgwili, the chief executive of Xcellent Security Services, the private security company at DUT, said they would be extra vigilant of any “strange” gatherings that could lead to conflict.

He said another security company called Strike Force was also on campus to monitor the situation until things had cooled down. “Staff and DUT’s property are in safe hands. We regret the loss of life, and some of our own staff were also traumatised by the shooting. The employees who were close to the shooting will receive trauma counselling,” Mgwili said.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal also shut down its campuses last week. Performances at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, at Howard College campus, were also affected by the protests.

UKZN spokesperson Normah Zondo said the academic programme had been suspended until further notice.

“This is to give space to engage with student leadership,” she said. Management and the student leadership met on Friday, Zondo said, but were not able to reach an agreement.

Daily News

More varsity protests expected as minister, students in deadlock

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More varsity protests expected as minister, students in deadlock

Karinda Jagmohan and Nathan Craig 

The South African Union of Students (SAUS) would continue with their ‘National Shutdown’ campaign this week, until government met all their demands.

Their decision followed a six-hour meeting with Higher Education and Training Minister, Naledi Pandor on Saturday.

SAUS is the umbrella body for Student Representative Councils, and called for a shutdown of the country’s universities last week, until financial assistance for students, among other concerns, were met.

The union wants students’ historic debt to be cleared, better accommodation, and the facilitation of more students at universities, among several other demands.

“We will stop the shutdown when we know that no one has been financially excluded from a higher institution of learning,” said Lwandile Mstolo, SAUS secretary-general.

Pandor’s spokesperson, Lunga Ngqengelele, said the minister had heard the students’ demands and advised them that some of it including the registration of students with historical debt could be resolved instantly.

SAUS president Misheck Mugabe said they would take Pandor’s decisions to the SRC leaders and discuss a way forward.

Following two weeks of protests, the Durban University of Technology is set to open tomorrow for the purpose of registering students and answering queries relating to financial aid and accommodation. But the academic programme remains suspended, according to a statement from DUT.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal also remains closed. Spokesperson Normah Zondo, said the university was assessing damages on all campuses.

The academic programme was suspended last Monday, after students protested for their demands which included financial issues, concerns over suitable accommodation for students, registration and academic issues.

Zondo said UKZN management had been engaging with student leadership and other stakeholders on the matters being raised by students.

“The situation on all five campuses is calm. The safety and security of the University Community is of paramount importance. The campus precinct is declared a lethal-weapon free zone.

Security Services on the campuses are urged to exercise restraint when engaging protesters. All five campuses are being monitored by University Risk Management Services,” said Zondo.

Her comments on campus security came after a DUT student was fatally shot during a protest outside the Steve Biko campus in Durban last week.

Mlungisi Madonsela, 20, died in hospital after being shot, allegedly by a private security guard from a security company hired by DUT.

A memorial will be held for Madonsela on Tuesday, as police investigate a case of murder.

Sunday Tribune

#SONA2019: Two years of compulsory ECD before Grade 1, says Ramaphosa

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#SONA2019: Two years of compulsory ECD before Grade 1, says Ramaphosa

Quiton Mtyala 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that his government will migrate early childhood education centres from the Department of Social Development to Basic Education.

He said 700 000 children were accessing early childhood education during the most recent financial year, and ECD centres had been established as a firm foundation which was integral to the education system.

This year there will be two years of compulsory ECD for all children before they enter Grade 1.

“Another critical priority is to substantially improve reading comprehension in the first years of school.

“This is essential in equipping children to succeed in education, in work and in life – and it is possibly the single most important factor in overcoming poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the Department of Basic Education’s early grade reading studies have demonstrated the impact that a dedicated package of reading resources, expert reading coaches and lesson plans can have on reading outcomes.

“Over the next six years, we will provide every school child in South Africa with digital workbooks and textbooks on a tablet device.

“We will start with those schools that have been historically most disadvantaged and are located in the poorest communities, including multigrade, multiphase, farm and rural schools,” said Ramaphosa.

He said teachers and students will be trained in emerging technologies with several new subjects and specialisations to be introduced.

“In line with our Framework for Skills for a Changing World, we are expanding the training of both educators and learners to respond to emerging technologies including the internet of things, robotics and artificial intelligence.

“Several new technology subjects and specialisations will be introduced, including technical mathematics and technical sciences, maritime sciences, aviation studies, mining sciences, and aquaponics,” said Ramaphosa.

He said to expand participation in these technical stream, several ordinary high schools will be transformed into technical high schools.

“In line with government’s commitment to the right of access to higher education for the poor, last year we introduced free higher education for qualifying first year students.

“Thanks to this initiative, links have been re-established with all institutions, and institution heads and student leaders have played a critical role in communicating with students,” said Ramaphosa.

The scheme, he said, was being phased in over a five year period until all undergraduate students who qualified in terms of the criteria can benefit.

“Stabilising the business processes of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme will also be a priority in the coming year so that it is properly capacitated to carry out its critical role in supporting eligible students.

“We are concerned about developments on some campuses this week, especially reports of violence and intimidation,” said Ramaphosa.

He said of particular concern was the death of Mlungisi Madonsela, a student at the Durban University of Technology, who earlier this week was shot in a protest at the university, allegedly by a private security officer.

“We call on student representatives and university authorities to work together to find solutions to the challenges that students are facing,” said Ramaphosa.

Political Bureau

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