The South African
The South African
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • T&C
  • Contact us
  • Women in Journalism
  • Missing persons
  • News
    • South Africa
      • Gauteng
        • Pretoria
      • Western Cape
        • George
      • KwaZulu-Natal
      • Eastern Cape
      • North West
      • Limpopo
      • Free State
        • Bloemfontein
      • Mpumalanga
      • Northern Cape
        • Upington
    • Africa
    • World
    • Tech
      • All Tech News
      • Gaming
      • Mobile
    • Property
    • Opinion
    • Weather
    • Traffic Report
    • Municipal Elections 2021
    • Lotto Results
  • Sport
    • Soccer
      • Bafana Bafana
      • Premier Soccer League
      • English Premier League
      • CAF Champions League
      • UEFA Champions League
      • La Liga
      • Soccer World Cup 2022
    • Rugby
      • United Rugby Championship
      • Springboks
      • Super Rugby
      • Sevens
      • Rugby Championship
      • Currie Cup
      • Varsity Cup
      • Rugby World Cup 2023
    • Cricket
      • Proteas
      • Indian Premier League
      • Cricket World Cup 2023
    • Motorsport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Hollywoodbets Horse Racing
    • Cycling
    • Netball
    • Boxing
    • MMA
  • Culture
    • Entertainment
    • Art & Artists
    • Soapies
      • Gomora
      • SkeemSaam
      • Scandal
      • House of Zwide
      • Muvhango
      • The Queen
    • Books
    • On this Day
    • Music
    • Nelson Mandela
    • LGBTQIA+
    • Netflix
      • Blood & Water
    • Prison Journalism
  • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
    • Fashion and Beauty
    • Celeb News
    • Travel
      • All Travel News
      • Travel South Africa
      • Travel International
    • Move To
      • Move to USA
      • Move to New Zealand
      • Move to the UK
      • Move to Canada
      • Move to Australia
      • Move to South Africa
      • SA Expats
    • Food & Drinks
      • Gin
      • Wine
    • Recipes
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Parenting & Kids
    • Sex, Love & Relationships
  • Business & Finance
    • Money Matters
    • Start-up Africa
    • My Business
  • studentlife
    • Studentlife News
    • Careers
    • Netflix
      • Blood & Water
    • Studentlife Entertainment
    • Studentlife Food
    • Studentlife Health and Fitness
    • Studentlife Lifestyle
    • Studentlife Opinion
    • Studentlife Sport
    • Studentlife Tech
    • Student Jobs
  • Video
  • Win
    • Quiz
    • Competitions
  • News
  • Sport
  • Culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Business & Finance
  • studentlife
  • Video
  • Win
Free secondary education in African countries is on the rise - but is it the best policy? This is what the evidence says about it
education

Free secondary education: is it the best policy in African countries?

Boity
Celeb News

‘Still have money’: Boity claims not to have university qualifications

To make schools have inclusive education is most empasised in Zimbabwe whereby the idea was developed in the global north.
Education

Inclusive education in Zimbabwe: philosophy of ubuntu contribution

Free secondary education in African countries is on the rise - but is it the best policy? This is what the evidence says about it
Education

Free secondary education: is it the best policy in African countries?

Boity
Celeb News

‘Still have money’: Boity claims not to have university qualifications

To make schools have inclusive education is most empasised in Zimbabwe whereby the idea was developed in the global north.
Education

Inclusive education in Zimbabwe: philosophy of ubuntu contribution

New approach to teaching computer science broadens appeal
Education

New approach to teaching computer science broadens appeal

By The Conversation23-05-2023 15:06

K-12 schools across the country are facing a significant challenge: how to effectively teach computer science skills to the next generation.

CPUT students uncertain of their future after eviction order
News

CPUT students in limbo following eviction order

By Dumani Moyo19-05-2023 13:17

Students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology are still unsure about their future after the university forced them to leave.

scholarship
Education

Student bags 125 college offers and R174M in scholarship offers

By Mihlali Vellem19-05-2023 07:00

An overachieving student, Dennis Barnes was proud to announce that he had bagged over R174 million in scholarships and 125 college offers.

reading progress
South Africa

Study: SA’s children have lost a decade of reading progress

By Ground Up17-05-2023 10:30

An international study confirms that eight out of ten grade 4 learners still can’t read for meaning in 2021

Social media networks such as Facebook, twitter and Instagram have been shown to have significantly transformed student behaviour and led to addiction.
Africa News

Ghana school students: Social media addiction and its effects

By The Conversation16-05-2023 12:25

Social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have had a significant transformation on student behaviour.

Learners struck by lightning in Limpopo
News

More than 20 learners injured as lightning struck at Limpopo Primary school

By Dumani Moyo16-05-2023 10:12

Dozens of learners at a Limpopo primary school were sent to the hospital after being struck by lightning while in class.

Education philosopher asks to rethink about purpose of university education.
Careers

Education philosopher urges rethinking of university education

By The Conversation16-05-2023 09:52

Education philosopher explains why it’s important to rethink about the purpose of university education in the institutions.

Makhanda
News

Makhanda classrooms are overcrowded despite the failed national reading plan

By Ground Up15-05-2023 12:47

While South Africa faces a deepening literacy crisis, teachers in Makhanda are battling in overcrowded classrooms, they need more teachers.

Moloantoa
Celeb News

Unisa student Palesa Moloantoa graduates with 25 distinctions

By Mihlali Vellem13-05-2023 09:59

Palesa Moloantoa, a graduate from the University of South Africa (Unisa) was said to have graduated with 25 distinctions.

Innovative app PasswordKid ensures child safety in schools
News

How Angie Motshekga’s reading plan failed SA’s children

By Ground Up10-05-2023 12:20

The National Reading Plan was supposed to help provincial education departments improve literacy between 2019/20 and 2023/24.

KwaZulu-Natal schools
News

900 rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal face closure

By Leeroy Mukotekwa09-05-2023 11:12

KwaZulu-Natal Education Department has confirmed plans to close more than 900 rural schools due to low enrolment rates.

Watch Corporal punishment still prevalent in SA video
News

Eastern Cape: Principal accused of beating learners with a hose pipe

By Ground Up04-05-2023 11:57

The Eastern Cape Department of Education is investigating at least six teachers at different schools for assault and corporal punishment.

Durban moms recycle
Durban

Durban moms recycle cardboard to make ends meet

By Ground Up03-05-2023 14:19

In Durban, six women gather every day waiting for a truck to come and fetch the cardboard they have collected.

Makhanda
News

Makhanda literacy project shows dramatic results

By Ground Up28-04-2023 14:15

A partnership between an educational organisation and a primary school in Makhanda is showing dramatic results in teaching children to read

Khuli Chana
Celeb News

Halala! Khuli Chana graduates with Honours degree [watch]

By Mihlali Vellem28-04-2023 11:05

Motswako rapper Khuli Chana received an enormous amount of praise from his fans after he announced he had graduated with an Honours degree.

DJ Cleo graduates
Celeb News

DJ Cleo graduates with a BA degree from Wits University [photos]

By Leeroy Mukotekwa26-04-2023 13:50

Social media has been flooded with congratulatory messages after DJ Cleo graduated with BA degree from Wits University.

crisis in KwaZulu-Natal
News

Bid to resolve crisis in KwaZulu-Natal special schools

By Ground Up20-04-2023 12:59

Parents and learners with special needs will meet government officials in Pietermaritzburg on Friday in a bid to resolve crisis

Learners
News

More than 100 000 learners dropped out of schools in Gauteng

By Cwenga Maqhubela19-04-2023 10:17

The Gauteng Basic Education Department confirms that a number of factors contributed to learners no longer appearing on their system.

Eastern Cape learners
Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape learners stuck at home without school transport

By Ground Up13-04-2023 10:28

Thousands of learners in the Eastern Cape were not able to attend school in the first term because they do not have transport.

protesters
News

Protesters demand mobile toilets for schools with pit latrines

By Ground Up12-04-2023 11:10

About 60 members marched on Tuesday to the Limpopo Department of Basic Education to demand the immediate provision of mobile toilets

Parents
News

WCED: Parents urged to submit applications for Grades 1 and 8

By Cwenga Maqhubela10-04-2023 13:32

Western Cape Education Department urges parents to apply for grades 1 and 8 placements as 14 April deadline comes closer.

Khuli Chana graduates
Celeb News

Khuli Chana graduates with an honours degree [pictures]

By David Mutengwa01-04-2023 08:04

Rapper Khuli Chana scoops an Entrepreneurship and innovation of the Year 2022 award winner as he graduates with an honours degree.

rising cost of high school in South Africa
Education

The rising cost of high school in South Africa

By Portia Chamapiwa31-03-2023 09:00

This article offers information for parents on the rising cost of high school in South Africa. It sheds more light on crucial preparations.

Anyone watching the debate over the National Party’s recent curriculum policy announcement could be forgiven for thinking there is a deep divide in education philosophy and best practice in New Zealand. The truth isn’t quite that simple. In fact, most (if not all) interested parties would agree that teaching and learning the basics of literacy and numeracy are vital. As one expert observer noted, the policies of the major political parties actually have much in common. The National Party policy promises a curriculum focused on “teaching the basics brilliantly”. The government says much of this work is already under way with its current curriculum “refresh”. So where exactly is the issue? The idea of mandated testing checkpoints clearly has some worried that the National Party’s policy is a return to a “back to basics” mentality that ignores or minimises other vital areas of teaching. As one headline had it, “KPIs are for businesses and boardrooms, not children and schools”. Get your news from people who know what they’re talking about. While the basics are important, the argument goes, there are other things schools should focus on. That may be true, but it need not be so binary. Basic early literacy and numeracy skills are the foundation on which much other success is built. Perhaps a better way to frame the discussion might be: a wider view of learning is important – and the basics are necessary. Learning literacy is a complex process: handwriting skill is the best predictor of writing success. Getty Images Learning to read and write is hard Foundations take time to put in place, however. With reading and writing, for example, it’s common for capable adults to assume that many of the foundational skills are easily achieved. In fact, neuroscience shows literacy learning is a remarkably complex process. Learning to identify letters and the sounds associated with them, and learning to read and retain words, involves a kind of repurposing of the brain’s architecture. Learning to correctly spell words is even more complex than reading them. Successful teaching of spelling requires clear and systematic guidelines. Mastery cannot be left to chance or done through rote learning lists of words. Read more: Has a gap in old-school handwriting and spelling tuition contributed to NZ's declining literacy scores? Another often undervalued basic skill is handwriting. It can be seen as purely a presentation technique and simply about neatness. But research shows handwriting skill contributes directly to writing achievement and is the best predictor of writing success in younger students. Reading and writing also rely on a foundation of oral language skill, including understanding sentence structure and having a strong vocabulary. Being proficient with sentences is the building block for paragraph formation, essential to more advanced writing tasks. Vocabulary knowledge is a strong predictor of academic achievement, connected to both reading and writing success. Clear guidelines and specifics: teachers want to know what denotes progress, and when they should be concerned. Getty Images What teachers want None of these skills develop by chance. So the question becomes, how can a curriculum best support teachers to teach literacy from its foundations upwards, with as many students as possible succeeding? In my work as a literacy facilitator, I find teachers want specifics. They want to know what to teach at each stage. They want to know what the children in their classes should be able to do within that year. They want to know what denotes progress, and when they should be concerned. Read more: Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one of them But the curriculum as a whole is necessarily broad and all-encompassing, to reflect the complex needs of society. The curriculum refresh groups learning in broad bands – and this presents problems for specific guidance and benchmarks. In the English curriculum, one of the literacy goals for learners in the year 1-3 band is to “use decoding strategies with texts to make meaning”. This is far too broad to be helpful in teaching or assessment in any specific way. More nuanced progress indicators are still being developed, but the draft examples suggest there will be more guidance in more specific age bands. Read more: Education expert John Hattie's new book draws on more than 130,000 studies to find out what helps students learn Guidelines and benchmarks As well as through the curriculum, teaching will be supported by the Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy and the Common Practice Model. As an educator, I hope the final versions of these documents will offer clear guidelines for both teaching and assessment. And there are new resources recently provided to schools that contribute usefully to a systematic and successful approach to literacy teaching. These are based on current evidence of how reading is best taught. They include a progression of word learning framework, and decodable readers with lesson plans. All of these resources should provide useful direction for schools in their literacy teaching. While we can never make the task of teaching literacy simple, specific guidelines can make the pathway for teaching more straightforward. More focus on the basics need not be boring for learners, either. I recently observed a lesson where the children were learning to decode new words. At the end, a six-year-old said “that was fun, can we do more?” The act of laying foundations for literacy is anything but dull. The National Party’s call for guidelines around “teaching the basics brilliantly” speaks to a vital part of a rounded education. More detail is now needed about what “brilliance” will mean in practice, just as we need more detail on the current curriculum refresh. Making foundation skills a key component of the curriculum may not be the whole answer, but it is absolutely necessary for overall success.
Education

Teaching the ‘basics’ is critical

By The Conversation29-03-2023 09:19

The curriculum refreshes group learning in broad bands – and this presents problems for specific guidance and benchmarks.

Education might not save you from cognitive decline
Education

Education might not save you from cognitive decline

By The Conversation27-03-2023 16:55

In a recent article, the prevailing belief that education can lower the risk of cognitive decline in old age is challenged.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
  • 17
  • 18
  • >

TheSouthAfrican.com is all about South Africa and the stories that affect South Africans, wherever they are in the world.

We’re independent.
No agenda.
No Bias.

Follow us

IAB South Africa
Press Council

About us

Terms, Conditions, Privacy & GDPR

Contact Us

Women in Journalism

Missing Persons

Our offices are for administrative purposes only, no visitors will be accepted without an appointment.

South Africa – Blue Sky Publications (Pty) Ltd - Registration Number: 2005/028472/07 - Address: Regus Business Centre, 1st Floor, Block B, North Park, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa

United Kingdom – Blue Sky Publications Ltd – Registration Number: 04683692 - Address: C/O Sable Accounting Ltd, 13th Floor, One Croydon, 12-16 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR0 0XT

Copyright Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.