Category: Educationn

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says government has taken action to fast-track the provision of school infrastructure.

Motshekga briefed the media on the progress made on infrastructure roll out in the basic education sector on Sunday.

The briefing follows the Council of Education Minister (CEM) meeting held recently to discuss a number of issues affecting the sector.

Motshekga said the education sector has been working on programmes to roll out school infrastructure across the country, but the matter became even more urgent after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, as they were faced with a major overcrowding crisis that needed urgent addressing.

Motshekga said in a bid to fast-track the provision of infrastructure in the schools that are in desperate need and make them safe havens for children, the department has taken action on two fronts.

“The first is we increased the technical capacity of officials in the infrastructure team by recruiting five built environment specialists, including a head of infrastructure, who are solely focused on implementing our infrastructure projects.

“Secondly, as you are aware, the President launched the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE) initiative to specifically address the infrastructure backlog in our schools. The rapid and successful rollout of Grade R in our schools meant that just under 4000 schools were found to be lacking in either age-appropriate infrastructure, in particular, or adequate infrastructure in general,” Motshekga said.

Government has been hard at work to keep the promise the President made at the launch of the SAFE initiative, this include identifying 3 398 schools that were lacking in infrastructure in one form or another, either not age appropriate or inadequate.

“Since that time, we have delivered 2 478 projects to schools across the country [and] during this period, we had the COVID pandemic which forced the lockdown of the country and significantly impacted implementation on the ground,” Motshekga said.

The Minister commended private sector companies who responded to the President’s appeal for the corporate social investment contribution to the entire effort, highlighting that out of the number of the completed projects, 184 were allocated to donors with 117 been completed.

ASIDI

She also noted that the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) Programme, which was created to eradicate schools built from inappropriate material, in their entirety, is nearing its end in the next financial year.

“Since the launch of ASIDI, government has delivered 315 entire schools out of a target of 331, 317 electrification projects, 1 259 water projects and, to come back to the specific subject at hand, all 1 053 planned sanitation projects. You can clearly see that we have not been sitting on our laurels.

“There is a lot we can achieve whether practically or in terms of national cohesion when we all pull together. That is not to say government must not be held to account but, at the very least, we call for a modicum of objectivity,” the Minister said.

Condolences

The Minister also used the opportunity to reiterate government’s heartfelt condolences on the death of Langalam Viki whose body was found in a pit latrine at Mcwangele Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape.

She reported that the school where Langalam died has been provided with new South African National Standards approved infrastructure, meaning the school has new toilets.

However, Motshekga noted that there are certain questions that the department is interrogating surrounding the Langalam’s death, and invited the media to also interrogate them.

“Now, having said that, allow me to introduce a measure of controversy and I want to make absolutely sure that the media does not misrepresent my remarks. There are certain questions that we are interrogating and that we invite the media to interrogate as well,” said the Minister.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Higher Education and Training has invited young South Africans to submit applications for the 47th WorldSkills International Competition to take place in Lyon, France, late this year.

The 47th WorldSkills International Competition will feature over 1 500 competitors from 65 different countries across the world, competing in 61 skills from 10-15 September 2024.

The department said a total of 24 Skill Areas are open for application until 20 April 2023 to young South Africans who should be 22 years old or younger in September 2024.

“To be eligible to apply, you must be a student in an apprenticeship or learning programme; you must be a student undertaking studies towards a qualification at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college or a Technical High School, or a student undertaking studies towards a Diploma at a University of Technology for one of the skills: Mobile Robotics, CNC Turning, Health and Social Care, Mechatronics and Fashion Technology.

“However, to apply for the skills [including] Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics, Aircraft Maintenance, and Water Technology, applicants must be 25 years old or younger in September 2024,” the department said in a statement.

The department explained that once applications are closed and all internal processes are completed, competitions will take place at provincial level and the winners at provincial level in each of the competition areas will get an opportunity to compete at the national competition to take place at a date still to be announced by WorldSkills South Africa.

“The gold medallists from the national competition will go on to represent the country at the 47th WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France in September 2024. The Department of Higher Education and Training calls upon the youth of South Africa to take this opportunity and apply for this once in a lifetime experience,” the department explained.

The department highlighted that WorldSkills Competitions offer participants, not only South Africa, huge benefits and opportunities.

“It is about more than just winning and taking the prize home. WorldSkills competitions in general, including the WorldSkills International Competition, create opportunities for learners to become the very best version of themselves possible.

“They offer life changing pathway and opportunities that involve additional study and work experience. The WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) programme plays a critical role in building bridges between all stakeholders within the apprenticeship and artisan development arena,” the department said.

WSZA’s aim is to further develop the skills of the many young people who participate in WorldSkills South Africa events and to build their networking and communication skills through taking direction from industry peers and benchmarking their skills against those they compete with in the industry, the department added.

Applications can be submitted through a link www.worldskillsza.dhet.gov.za/Applications

Source: South Africa Government News Agency

A public-private sector collaboration in the water and sanitation sector is bearing good fruits through a High-Performing Schools Programme aimed at equipping selected primary and secondary schools in disadvantaged Limpopo communities with innovative and modular infrastructure.

This is as Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Mr David Mahlobo and Lebalelo Water User Association Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Bertus Bierman, handed over additional ablution facilities, which included the upgrading of existing toilets to a close loop flush toilet system and various containerised facilities including a computer laboratory and a library, housed within a paved under-roof school gathering at the Kwata Primary School in Ga-Phala on Wednesday, 15 March 2023.

The handover also included potable water storage tanks, the installation of solar panels to assist with consistent electricity supply and a wastewater treatment facility.

The High-Performing Schools Programme is a Socio-Economic Development Initiative of the Olifants Management Model Programme which was launched by Lebalelo Water User Association and the Department late last year in Burgersfort, with an aim to fast-track potable and bulk raw water infrastructure to supply targeted communities and mines in the Sekhukhune and Mogalakwena Districts.

The programme targets primary and secondary schools and creates a platform for innovative training and thinking in sustainable water use and conservation, sustainable electricity supply, improved ablution facilities and school gathering area projects as well as connectivity and teacher aids amongst others.

Deputy Minister Mahlobo said the partnership reinforced the department to build and strengthen collaborative efforts as a means to improve and enhance the delivery of services in the sector.

“I am pleased that government has come to a point of working quite efficiently with the private sector for the greater good of communities. In working together like a hand in glove, not only can we achieve more, but we will most definitely uplift communities and move the sector to greater heights,” said Deputy Minister Mahlobo.

Also addressing teachers, learners, and parents at the school, Bierman stated that of importance to the Water User Association, was fostering relations with government, while improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

“The handover is one of many to come in our area of operation in the Sekhukhune and Mogalakwena Districts. Our aim is to also unlock the region’s strategic mineral and industrial potential and provide much-needed potable water to a yard connection for approximately 380 000 people,” he said,

Bierman added the Association aims to ensure water security, create significant job opportunities through direct, indirect, and induced employment for an estimated 42 000 people for the duration of the OMM and socio-economic development aspect, which is the school’s programme.

The MEC for Basic Education in the province, Maureen Lerule-Ramakhanya was also part of the handover and came out in support of the public-private sector collaboration which will assist with improving facilities in targeted schools, making them more conducive for teaching and learning. The Department of Basic Education in Limpopo, through MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya has supported the pilot project of the High-Performing Schools Programme since inspection and has approved the design of the ablution facilities.

Source: Government of South Africa

Don’t wait! 2024 school admissions process has begun

Applications for school admissions in the 2024 school year opened this morning at 00h01.

As of 10h30 this morning, we had already received over 4 600 applications. We are pleased that so many parents are prioritising their child’s schooling by making sure that they apply on time.

The online application process will be open from 00h01 on 13 March 2023 to 23h59 on 14 April 2023.

Our admissions website is a free service, that is zero-rated so you do not need data to access it.

We have also arranged 114 pop-up admission sites at shopping malls, schools and other facilities, in all 8 education districts to help parents and caregivers who do not have access to internet facilities or need assistance applying online.

Please visit: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions-202324 to view where and when these services are available in your area!

The following certified documents will be required for all applications:

The last official school Report Card

Proof of identity:

ID, Birth certificate, or passport of the learner,

In the case of a foreign learner: a passport, or a study permit or proof of application for a study permit, or a copy of the parent’s Asylum seeker or Refugee Permit

OR A police affidavit if these documents are not available

Immunisation card (Road to Health Chart) [Primary Schools only]

Proof of Residence (Rates account, Lease agreement, an affidavit confirming residence).

You can certify copies of your documents at any police station or post office. Keep these copies together, as you will need to submit the hard copies later this year to the final school your child is accepted to.

Information on how to apply, with step-by-step registration and application guidelines and videos are available on the WCED website: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions-202324

We understand that this is a stressful period for parents, and that the application process can seem daunting.

Here are some tips for parents:

Apply early – don’t wait until the last day of the applications window.

Apply to more than one school.

Check the admissions policies of the schools to which you would like to apply.

Remember that schools may not use their own forms or online systems for applications and may not request any additional information from parents that is not in line with the South African Schools Act, the Admissions Policy for Public Ordinary Schools, or the POPI Act.

You can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the admissions process here: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/learner-enrolment-faq

Please note:

Parents who are unable to complete their applications today, or encountered technical difficulties, should not be alarmed – they have a whole month in which to apply. There is no preference given to those that apply in the first few days, as opposed to next week. The important thing is to ensure that you apply before 14 April 2023.

Schools cannot access the data to see what order of preference parents have listed their school when submitting applications. They will not be informed if their particular school is 1st, 3rd or 7th on the parents list.

If you have any concerns or questions about the online system, please pop these in the “Query” box on the admissions website, and one of our officials will assist you as soon as possible.

Don’t wait! Apply for a school for your child today.

Source: Government of South Africa

Umalusi has awarded accreditation certificates to deserving private education institutions in recognition of their compliance to its rigid accreditation standards.

In line with its legislative mandate as the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi hosted an Accreditation Forum and Certificate Presentation ceremony to award accreditation certificates to institutions that met accreditation criteria to offer the qualifications that are registered on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub[1]framework (GFETQSF).

Amongst the 125 institutions that received accreditation certificates include:

One hundred and twenty independent schools to offer the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) leading to the award of the National Senior Certificate (NSC);

Three private colleges accredited to offer the N1-N3 Engineering Studies programmes,

One private college accredited to offer NC(V) Levels 2-4: Office Administration, and

The South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), a private assessment body, to assess the NSC and General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET)

The names of the accredited institutions are available on the Umalusi website www.umalusi.org.za

Delivering his keynote address on Wednesday, Umalusi Council Chairperson, Professor Yunus Ballim, said the fact that Umalusi awarded accreditation status to the institutions means that the social justice issue of reaching the most marginalised members of society is being addressed.

“Due to Umalusi’s stringent quality assurance processes, the standard of the South African qualifications is credible and has recognised value nationally and internationally,” Ballim said.

Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, commended the institutions, noting that it is a great achievement and a milestone for all the institutions receiving their certificates, considering all the effort that goes into meeting the accreditation requirements of Umalusi in order to be accorded the accreditation status.

“The accreditation certificate is a symbol of quality assurance that inspires parents, learners, and society to have confidence in the quality of our education system and independent institutions,” Dr Rakometsi said.

Source: South African Government News Agency