Most philosophers of education or philosophically inclined scholars of education in the past century and a half would agree with the claim that, ideally, education should be the practice of freedom. That is, it ought to cultivate the ability to intelligently decide how we want to shape our lives. The aim of education should be […]

While South Africa faces a deepening literacy crisis, teachers in Makhanda are battling in overcrowded classrooms. They need more teachers. They need more funds. Learners need one-on-one support. Last week Viewfinder and GroundUp revealed that the Department of Basic Education has failed to implement its National Reading Plan. The country’s literacy crisis is acute: the vast majority […]

The University of Cape Town (UCT) remains the top university in South Africa, according to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). ALSO READ | Dis-Chem co-founder Ivan Saltzman to step down as CEO UCT climbed three spots in the 2023 global rankings to 267th. The University of Witwatersrand was the second-best-placed university in the country and climbed two spots to […]

Pangolins are animals that you may not be able to picture in your mind’s eye – here’s a brief overview. Pangolins look very similar to the American armadillo but with scales covering all of their body except their face. But here’s the kicker, these animals are being poached by the ton-load from their habitats in […]

The DA demands an audit of all the National School Nutrition Programmes after thousands of kids were left hungry in KZN and EC schools. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, to institute an audit of all the National School Nutrition Programmes (NSNP) in all the provinces. READ […]

Six years since a contractor was paid to build prefab classrooms, learners at Kulo-Mbombo Primary School in Qombolo, Eastern Cape, are still being taught in crumbling mud buildings. Broken windows and collapsing walls have primary school children shivering through classes. There are no answers from the Eastern Cape Department of Education, despite appointing a contractor […]

A “massive reading campaign” for South African schools announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 has never got off the ground, despite triumphant claims in Parliament by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Viewfinder and GroundUp can reveal that the Department’s National Reading Plan – which it had not made publicly available – is a […]

There may be changes on the horizon for school holidays as the Department of Basic Education published proposed changes to the National Policy for Determining School Calendars for Public Schools in South Africa for public comment. THE CHANGES COME AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The changes are being suggested as a result of the past […]

Universities had to deal with many anxieties and uncertainties during the early days of the COVID pandemic. One of these was how to move all of their teaching online. For some, the process was fairly simple as they had already been offering blended online and in-person lessons. But many were caught on the wrong foot. […]

The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal reportedly plans to close down over 900 rural schools. SABC News reports that a KZN Department of Education team visited the province on 5 May 2023. The visit was to monitor the improvement of education in KwaZulu-Natal. ALSO READ: Schools, hospitals and police stations to be exempted from load shedding KZN […]

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has urged all parents and guardians to ensure that they register their children early for the 2024 academic year. Learner admission for the 2024 academic year in the province opened on 12 April 2023 and the closing date for the administration of admissions is 30 September 2023. Education MEC, Mbali […]

The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service welcomed young and old to their fire stations last week to celebrate International Firefighter’s Day.  The open day attracted hundreds of little ones and their parents and caregivers to the stations where they could learn more about the service and what the firefighters do.  Mayoral Committee […]

When children steal, naturally parents can be very concerned. They might wonder if they’ve taught their child correctly, whether it’s just a phase or whether they’re going to have a young offender on their hands. But before parents panic, they need to consider why their child may have taken something that doesn’t belong to them. […]

Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistently low mood or loss of interest in activities. It causes significant impairment in daily life. Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. It’s a major mental illness that largely goes undiagnosed. Survey estimates put the lifetime risk of depression […]

Gauteng Province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth to work in the energy space, installing solar panels. Gauteng Province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth to work in the energy space, installing solar panels. Image via Pexels. Gauteng province is looking for 6 000 unemployed youth within the province to be trained as […]

How much time did your child spend looking at a screen today? The answer likely depends on how old they are, what grade they’re in at school and what rules you have in place at home about screen time. But the reality is that for children and adolescents growing up as “digital natives”, it is […]

At least six teachers at different schools in the Eastern Cape are under investigation for assault and corporal punishment. This was revealed by provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima this week. The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is investigating at least six teachers at different schools for assault and corporal punishment. This comes two […]

According to Baxolile ‘Bax’ Nodada MP – DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, KZN schools are still without food. About 540 schools in KwaZulu-Natal are still not providing meals to some 30 000 learners as part of the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The DA will request the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) to […]

Article originally published on GroundUp By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is investigating at least six teachers at different schools for assault and corporal punishment. This comes two weeks after matriculants at a school in KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere, accused the principal of beating them with a hose pipe after they […]

Sexual grooming is a pervasive issue that affects children all over the world, and South Africa is no exception. byGCIS Vuk’uzenzele 02-05-2023 15:47 in News Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele. Parents and caregivers should make sure that their children do not fall prey to sexual groomers. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says sexual grooming occurs when […]

The Pyramids of Giza are some of the most recognizable structures in the world. Located in Egypt, they were built more than 4,500 years ago and continue to intrigue people to this day. Despite being studied and researched extensively, there are still mysteries surrounding these ancient wonders. In this article, we will explore 10 interesting facts […]

The SIU has commended UJ for returning R311 million to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) made up of unallocated student funds. University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Aurobindo Ogra The University of Johannesburg has returned R311 million to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which […]

For many young South Africans, a qualification is perceived to be the passport to a good job and decent salary, opening the way to a better life for them and their families. South Africa’s private higher education sector has grown rapidly since 1994, when the education system began to expand under democracy. The number and […]

Vodacom, a leading South African telecommunications company, has announced the opening of its 2024 Merit Bursary Programme. Vodacom leads the telecoms industry in LGBTIQ+ diversity and inclusion. Photo: Vodacom VODACOM IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2024 MERIT BURSARY PROGRAMME AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICANTS IS THE 31 AUGUST 2023. The bursary is open to […]

Just 45 minutes a day in a “Whistle Stop School” is helping primary school learners in Makhanda beat South Africa’s alarming literacy statistics. A partnership between an education organisation and a primary school in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, is showing dramatic results in teaching children to read. The “Whistle Stop School” run by community organisation GADRA […]