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#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

#SONA2019 and the current educational challenges

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#SONA2019 and the current educational challenges

Nkateko Mabasa and Bheki Simelane

Every year, the State of the Nation Address is marked by public protests outside Parliament. This year the Education Union of South Africa took its challenges close to Parliament’s doorstep before Cyril Ramaphosa’s second State of the Nation Address.

Something needs to be done to fix the education system.

This was the plea of the Education Union of South Africa (EUSA), a Cape Town-based teachers’ union, that marched to Parliament on Thursday to use the State of the Nation Address to amplify several issues affecting the education sector.

According to Secretary-General of EUSA Siphiwe Mpungose, the march was aimed at making the public aware of “how teachers feel about the dysfunctional and unproductive curriculum” they are forced to deliver to learners.

Since the beginning of 2019, the country has witnessed a number of challenges in the basic education sector. In the North West, a Schweizer-Reneke primary school made headlines when a teacher shared a photo over WhatsApp that showed black learners at a separate table to their white peers.

Recently, four pupils were killed when a walkway collapsed at Höerskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark. And this week, a video surfaced on social media showing a teacher slapping a learner after a confrontation in class.

Mpungose said the state of education in South Africa forms a critical part of the state of the nation.

He said the union wanted to use SONA to challenge those in power to “come down from their ivory towers and start to engage with us on the curricular and other issues”.

The union was unable to reach Parliament after being stopped by the police at the District Six Museum. This was despite the union being granted permission to march to Parliament during SONA. Its request was in compliance with the Regulations of Gatherings Act. But Mpungose said that on Thursday morning they received a phone call informing them that the march had been cancelled. They decided to march anyway.

Parliamentary representative Peter Lebeko met the marchers a few kilometers from the precinct to accept their memorandum.

One of the issues the union wanted to raise was the condonation of learners.

According to EUSA, Grade 11 learners who received a less than 30% pass mark, but achieved a mark of more than 20% were condoned (promoted) to Grade 12 as part of the department’s modularisation programme introduced in 2016.

“This is a political issue; 2016 was local government elections,” said Mpungose.

In terms of the modularisation programme, learners who have been condoned from Grade 11 to Grade 12 are allowed to write only three subjects in their matric year and complete the other three the following year, thereby raising the pass rate, which portrays the department in a positive light, says the union.

The adverse effect of this programme is that learners who have been condoned leave school because of the increased time they spend in matric.

“These are future citizens of this country and the government is gambling with their future,” said Mpungose.

Asked what they had done previously to improve the system, Mpungose said they had attempted to engage with the Department of Basic Education and the ministers numerous times, but they had been treated with a “deafening silence”.

According to the union, there is a serious challenge of overcrowding in schools. And, because of this, teaching and learning are negatively affected in classrooms.

The union blames the South African Democratic Teachers Union for “destabilising and ultimately collapsing the entire education system” by “undermining the authority and policies of the Department of Basic Education”.

As the march proceeded towards Parliament, the parliamentary precinct was bustling with elegantly dressed politicians and other dignitaries while the quest for better educational conditions played out outside. DM

Ten key points from Ramaphosa’s 2019 State of the Nation Address

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Ten key points from Ramaphosa’s 2019 State of the Nation Address
Charles Molele The new directorate in the Office of the NDPP Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the new directorate in the office the National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamilah Batohi. Dubbed by social media influencers as the new Scorpions, this directorate will focus on serious corruption and associated offences in in accordance with section 7 of the NPA Act. “I will soon be promulgating a Proclamation that will set out the specific terms of reference of the Directorate. In broad terms, the Directorate will focus on the evidence that has emerged from the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, other commissions and disciplinary inquiries,” said Ramaphosa. Housing Ramaphosa also announced that the Housing Development Agency will construct an additional 500,000 housing units in the next five years, and an amount of R30 billion will be provided to municipalities and provinces to enable them to fulfil their respective mandates. Revitalization of Industrial Parks in townships The government, according to Ramaphosa, will revamp industrial parks in townships and rural areas. “We have so far completed the revitalisation of 10 out of 16 identified industrial parks, in places such as Botshabelo, Phuthaditjhaba, Garankuwa, Isithebe, Komani and Seshego,” said Ramaphosa. Expropriation of Land without compensation President Ramaphosa also said his administration will support the work of the Constitutional Review Committee tasked with the review of Section 25 of the Constitution to unambiguously set out provisions for expropriation of land without compensation. “Alongside this constitutional review process we tasked the Deputy President to lead the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform to fast-track land reform,” he said. “An advisory panel of experts headed by Dr Vuyo Mahlathi, established to advise government on its land reform programme, is expected to table its report by the end of March 2019.” Infrastructure Fund Ramaphosa said government has committed to contribute R100 billion into the Infrastructure Fund over a 10 year period and use this to leverage financing from the private sector and development finance institutions. The digitization of all textbooks Ramaphosa said in his speech that over the next six years, government 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 multi-grade farm and rural schools. Already, 90% of textbooks in high enrolment subjects across all grades and all workbooks have been digitised,” he said during #SONA2019 Health and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Ramaphosa also announced that the establishment of an NHI and quality improvement War Room in the Presidency consisting of various key departments to address the crisis in the public health system while preparing for the implementation of the NHI. Gender-based violence Ramaphosa said government has listened to the call to make funds available to combat gender-based violence and has allocated funding in the current budget to support the decisions taken at the Summit.  “Government will lead the campaign to include men and boys as active champions in the struggle against gender-based violence,” said Ramaphosa. Commissions of Inquiry Ramaphosa also commended the works of the current Commissions of Inquiry taking place simultaneously – and said where there was basis to prosecute, prosecutions must follow swiftly and stolen public funds must be recovered urgently. Social ills Ramaphosa said government is resolute that all taverns, shebeens and liquour outlets near school premises must be shut down. READ: Malema explains why EFF did not disrupt #SONA2019 IN PICTURES: Ceremonious arrivals at #SONA2019 READ: Ramaphosa announces 8 May for General Elections

Malema explains why EFF did not disrupt #SONA2019

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Malema explains why EFF did not disrupt #SONA2019
Staff Reporter Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema says his party decided not to disrupt President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday because he complied with the red beret’s call to publicly explain himself on the R500,000 his presidential campaign received as a donation from controversial facilities company Bosasa. IN PICTURES: Ceremonious arrivals at SONA2019 The EFF had initially threatened to turn Ramaphosa’s address into a question-and-answer session if the president did not come clean on Bosasa.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the 2019 State of the Nation Address.
“After the press conference of the EFF, the president had an interview with eNCA, answered the questions and went to the Public Protector [Busisiwe Mkhwebane] including releasing the statement he released to the public protector. This is the president who is saying to all of us, I am available to account. That’s what we’ve been saying, the president must account and if he is not going to account for [the] Bosasa issue, we’re going to ask him here [in Parliament]. “So why ask him here when he has accounted? I mean we don’t have time for the flat heads. We made this point very clear, the man must account and if he doesn’t account, he will account in Parliament. He accounted. That’s why the EFF was happy to sit and listen. We may not be happy with the answer, but he has answered unlike the arrogance of the previous regime,” said Malema. READ: Ramaphosa announces 8 May for General Elections Ramaphosa has been under pressure in recent weeks to come clean on his involvement with Bosasa. He also reportedly could not give back the R500,000 Bosasa donation, after it emerged that the money was actually from a third party.
  • SONA 2019 in Parliament, Cape Town.
News24 reported that forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan said, the “CR17” campaign has placed the money in a separate attorney’s trust account – that of Harris Nupen Molebatsi Attorneys – pending a finalisation as to what should legally happen to the funds. O’Sullivan said that the ‘third party’ was in liquidation, and that it was now clear that the bank account was operated unlawfully.

#SONA2019: Ramaphosa puts tight fist on job creation and SA economy

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#SONA2019: Ramaphosa puts tight fist on job creation and SA economy
Charles Molele President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that government’s focus on reigniting economic growth is already paying off, and will lead to the creation of 275,000 additional director jobs every year. Ramaphosa was speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Cape Town, where he told the nation that concerns about policy uncertainty had been addressed. This was Ramaphosa’s second State of the Nation Address after the removal of former president Jacob Zuma. READ:Malema explains why EFF did not disrupt #SONA2019 Among those in attendance of the #SONA2019 were former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Frene Ginwala and Deputy President David Mabuza.
  • Inside Parliament during #SONA2019
“We have worked together – as government, labour, business, civil society and communities – to remove the constraints to inclusive growth and to pursue far greater levels of investment,” said Ramaphosa. “We held a successful Presidential Jobs Summit that agreed on far-reaching measures that – when fully implemented – will nearly double the number of jobs being created in our economy each year.” Investment Ramaphosa said the inaugural South Africa Investment Conference in October last year has provided a great impetus on his administration’s drive to raise R1.2 trillion in investment over the next five years. He said official data showed that just in the first three quarters of 2018, there was an inflow of R70 billion. “This is a phenomenal achievement compared to the low level of investment in the previous years,” said Ramaphosa. “The Investment Conference attracted around R300 billion in investment pledges from South African and international companies. There was also a significant increase in foreign direct investment last year. In 2017, we recorded an inflow of foreign direct investment amounting to R17 billion.” READ: Ramaphosa announces 8 May for General Elections Ramaphosa also called on companies – big and small, to support the Youth Employment Service by placing the unemployed youth in paid internships. “We call on all companies, both big and small, to participate in this initiative and thereby contribute not only to building their business but also to building the economy and fostering social cohesion,” he said. Oceans Economy Ramaphosa said government will also harness the potential of the Oceans Economy in order to grow the economy and create jobs. “Since the Operation Phakisa on the Oceans Economy in 2014, we have secured investments of nearly R30 billion and created over 7,000 direct jobs. The investments have been mainly in infrastructure development, marine manufacturing, aquaculture, and the oil and gas sector,” he said. “Expected investment in the Oceans Economy over the next five years is estimated at R3.8 billion by government and R65 billion by the private sector. These investments are expected to create over 100,000 direct jobs and more than 250,000 indirect jobs.” Eskom Ramaphosa said in order to avert crisis at Eskom, the state-owned enterprise will immediately embark on a process of establishing three separate entities – Generation, Transmission and Distribution – under Eskom Holdings.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the #SONA2019
“This will ensure that we isolate cost and give responsibility to each appropriate entity,” said Ramaphosa. “This will also enable Eskom to be able to raise funding for its various operations much easily from funders and the market.” Infrastructure and job creation Ramaphosa said government will also focus on creating jobs and employment opportunities through expanding small business incubation programme. “The incubation programme provides budding entrepreneurs with physical space, infrastructure and shared services, access to specialised knowledge, market linkages, training in the use of new technologies and access to finance,” said Ramaphosa. “The incubation programme currently consists of a network of 51 technology business incubators, 10 enterprise supplier development incubators and 14 rapid youth incubators. As part of the expansion of this programme, township digital hubs will be established, initially in four provinces, with more to follow. IN PICTURES: Ceremonious arrivals at #SONA2019 “We expect these hubs to provide most needed entrepreneurial service to small and medium enterprises in the rural areas and townships but more especially to young people who want to start their businesses.”

Cops need more evidence to arrest Valhalla alleged sex pest teacher

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Cops need more evidence to arrest Valhalla alleged sex pest teacher

James Mahlokwane 

Wierdabrug police will only arrest a 55-year-old teacher accused of sexual assault when adequate evidence is collected.

The teacher is accused of sexually assaulting numerous pupils at Valhalla Primary School since June last year.

“The charge on the docket opened against the accused is of sexual assault. As the police, we will only arrest the accused once we have enough evidence to take him to court. If we just arrest him without evidence the case will be struck off the roll,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini when asked if the teacher would be arrested and charged.

He said, according to standard procedure, the investigating officer would decide if the police had enough evidence to arrest the educator.

Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said: “We normally say we are precautionary removing an official from school to the district office. It’s a silent suspension, if we were to call it that.

“The feeling was that we can’t be paying people who are sitting at home doing nothing. We rather have that official at the district office so that they participate in the process of doing some work, and anything that would be helpful to the department.”

Although the department said there were already 23 complainants from grades 5, 6 and 7, the police did not want to give a specific number until investigations were completed.

“At this stage of investigations, we can only say that there are several,” said Dlamini.

Pretoria News

WATCH: Teen builds his own prosthetic arm using Lego bricks

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WATCH: Teen builds his own prosthetic arm using Lego bricks

Pilar Suarez 

Sant Cugat – David Aguilar has built himself a robotic prosthetic arm using Lego pieces after being born without a right forearm due to a rare genetic condition.

Aguilar, 19, who studies bioengineering at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Spain, is already using his fourth model of the colourful prosthetic and his dream is to design affordable robotic limbs for those who need them.

Once his favourite toys, the plastic bricks became the building material for Aguilar’s first, still very rudimentary, artificial arm at the age of nine, and each new version had more movement capability than the one before.

“As a child I was very nervous to be in front of other guys, because I was different, but that didn’t stop me believing in my dreams,” Aguilar, who is from Andorra, a tiny principality between Spain and France, told Reuters.

“I wanted to … see myself in the mirror like I see other guys, with two hands,” said Aguilar, who uses the artificial arm only occasionally and is self-sufficient without it.

All the versions are on display in his room in the university residence on the outskirts of Barcelona. The latest models are marked MK followed by the number – a tribute to comic book superhero Iron Man and his MK armour suits.

Aguilar, who uses Lego pieces provided by a friend, proudly displayed a red-and-yellow, fully functional robotic arm built when he was 18, bending it in the elbow joint and flexing the grabber as the electric motor inside whirred.

A presentation video on his YouTube channel that he runs under the nickname “Hand Solo” says his aim is to show people that nothing is impossible and disability cannot stop them.

After graduating from university, he wants to create affordable prosthetic solutions for people who need them.

“I would try to give them a prosthetic, even if it’s for free, to make them feel like a normal person, because what is normal, right?”

Reuters

Three recession proof industries for entrepreneurs

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Three recession proof industries for entrepreneurs

Staff Reporter

Marketers and entrepreneurs are often the first to identify new opportunities because they are the mavericks with their eye on the horizon said Jacqueline Raw, Owner and Founder of Ycagel, a marketing consultancy in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

She said, “Their ability to mobilise, respond to and capitalise on impending innovation and opportunities means that they are never limited to certain industries or markets”.

It is with this in mind that Jacqui offers her predictions as to where the three greatest opportunities will manifest this year:

1. Renewable energy:

Being able to sustainably produce clean energy is no longer a pipe dream or a nice to have. With the ever-looming deadline for a global reduction in temperatures before we reach our tipping point of no return in 2035 – this industry is now taking centre stage on a global platform.  It’s an absolute, that if you’re able to contribute as an entrepreneur to solving this burning question, you are sitting with a massive opportunity.

2. Agriculture:

Yes, you heard me right. With the global food crisis worsening as you read this, and with world leaders like Bill and Melinda Gates taking this issue personally and driving hard for global focus, input and reform, the opportunity to get involved is now. The hard reality is that we are running out of food and we are running out of planet to farm on. This simply cannot go on.

With massive innovations in agricultural technologies and big retailers like Woolworths taking a stand to support locally and ethically grown foods, it’s clear that an opportunity to impact change exists. All it takes is a consciousness around issues perpetuating our food crisis and an ability to innovate the right solutions that will impact change. We need the best minds focused on solutions – this means growth and opportunity for anyone ready to take on the challenge.

3. Education, education, education:

Technology has enabled total access to learning; learning materials are now so easily accessible on any devices, anywhere in the world. Information and content is dating almost as quickly as it is published and this presents an interesting opportunity for techpreneurs who want to get involved in driving education.

Word on the street is that the era of formal education is dying out and with that truth in mind, we are faced with the challenge of getting real-time skills training into the hands of the younger, more agile workforce of the future, bearing in mind that because of our massive rate of innovation and transformation globally, the skill share needs to be almost real-time between seasoned professionals and the next generation.

“If we are the next generation of entrepreneurs tasked with making a difference in this world for ourselves and the generations to come, then there is no time like the present to get clear on where we want to impact change and go for it, relentlessly.” Jacqueline Raw concludes.

Business Report Online

‘Sex pest’ Valhalla Primary School teacher alleged to have 23 victims

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‘Sex pest’ Valhalla Primary School teacher alleged to have 23 victims

James Mahlokwane

The Valhalla Primary School teacher at the centre of sexual assault allegations touched at least 23 pupils inappropriately, it emerged on Wednesday.

Provincial Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said pupils reported the teacher following a safety awareness lesson at the school by officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department on January 23.

The 55-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting Grade 5, 6 and 7 pupils.

However, Mabona assured parents who had gathered at the school that the department had the situation under control. It had brought in experts to assist the pupils and to provide counselling.

The swift action by the department saved the teacher from possible harm, as furious parents had rushed there yesterday morning to demand, and ensure, he was not allowed on to the premises.

The parents had vowed to take matters into their own hands to stop him from entering the premises.

However, on arrival they learnt that the department had already asked the man not to report for work due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Mabona, anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee and ward councillor Ina Strijdom had also rushed to the school to engage with and calm down the parents.

Mabona assured parents that a letter of removal from the school was being drafted for the teacher, who would report at the district office for the duration of the investigation.

“The department has a zero tolerance stance to allegations of sexual misconduct.

“Where the allegations are proven true, we will not hesitate to take decisive action against the perpetrators.

“A case was opened at the Wierdabrug police station and the information at our disposal is that the police will use the case docket to interact with the principal and try to access the pupils, with the consent of their parents.

“The police are aware that this is a very serious case. Parents are concerned about the wellbeing of their children.

“We have assured them that our psycho-social unit is here already. What we are going to need is the consent from parents.”

Mabona said the department would also investigate the case of sexual assault and update the parents.

“There is no need for parents to come and shut down the school. The school must be left to be operational as the curriculum is very important and recovery is difficult.

“We encourage parents not to disrupt the school; we will update them on the latest developments.”

A parent said: “I am hurt and disappointed by this because I only found out on Twitter yesterday (Tuesday). I couldn’t even sleep last night; I just wanted to get here and find out what is happening because I have two girls going to this school.”

#NotInMyName secretary-general Themba Masango visited the school with a squad of community activists, who condemned the alleged crime and called for justice.

“Schools are a place where we send our children to be safe.

“We cannot live in the fear of not knowing what will happen to our children in schools.”

Pretoria News

#DUTShooting: Drunk EFF students gatecrash Sasco briefing

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#DUTShooting: Drunk EFF students gatecrash Sasco briefing

Zainul Dawood

A South African Student Congress (Sasco) media briefing outside the  Durban University of Technology campus was interrupted by two drunken men believed to be from the EFF.

While Sasco chairperson Mqondisi Duma was addressing a media contingent on Ritson Road, three men pushed through and pulled away Duma’s notes that he had been reading from.

Another man wearing a white vest, holding a glass which contained alcohol, also pushed photographers and journalists aside.

The men are believed to have walked away from an EFF  group that was singing and dancing across the road from the meeting.

Police who were in the vicinity broke up a small crowd and kept the Sasco and EFF groups apart.

The EFF students claimed they were being targetted by police and security.

Duma was visibly shaken by the incident.

He said they would not be intimidated by the crowd of EFF supporters.

Several journalists damaged their phones when the scuffle broke out.

Daily News

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