PHUTI MOSOMANE

BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Sunday that government has taken action to accelerate the provision of school infrastructure across all nine provinces.

She said out of 3 398 schools, 2 478 have already been equipped with better infrastructure to create safe havens for school children.

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

“To be precise, therefore, the department identified 3398 schools that were lacking in infrastructure in one form or another- that is either not age appropriate or simply inadequate. We have delivered 2478 projects to schools across the country,” Motshekga said, adding that Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns impacted on implementation. 

Through private sector funders, 184 were allocated, and so far, 117 infrastructure projects were completed. 

“317 electrification projects, 1 259 water projects and 1 053 planned sanitation projects were completed,” she sad. 

She said government is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of four-year-old Langalam Viki whose body was found in a pit latrine at Mcwangele Primary School in Vaalbank in the Eastern Cape.

Motshekga revealed that the school where Langalam passed away has been provided with new South African National Standards approved infrastructure. 

“Langalam was found in the tank of a senior toilet, not the age appropriate toilet where he would have normally gone. He was also found fully dressed,” she said. 

She urged police to investigate the case with greater care given that “Langalam was to young to lift the manhole that covers the tank”. 

Last week, SECTION 27 and the Centre for Child Law launched the Michael Komape Sanitation Progress Monitor online tool which will track progress by the Limpopo Department of Education (LDoE) in eliminating unsafe and inappropriate sanitation in the province’s public schools.

The online tool will be used hold the department and provincial government accountable.

INSIDE EDUCATION 

 

STAFF REPORTER

OVER 5 400 graduates will be capped when the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosts 15 graduation ceremonies from Monday, 27 March to Friday, 31 March 2023, at the Sarah Baartman Hall. 
 
The university will also award high academic honours in honorary degrees to two distinguished individuals: Dr Debra Roberts and Her Excellency ǂXuu Katrina Esau.
 
UCT Interim Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy said: “We have once again come to that jubilant time of the year on our university calendar when we celebrate those who have over the years burned the midnight oil and successfully qualified for their various undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. We are, therefore, with great delight, looking forward to hosting the graduation ceremonies.”
 
The total number of graduands includes 57 PhDs, whose work has in many ways lived up to the university’s vision of unleashing human potential to create a fair and just society.
 
“I congratulate most warmly all our graduands who will be honoured and whose achievements will be recognised during these auspicious occasions. In the same breadth, let me record my appreciation for the role that our academic staff have played in guiding our graduands, as well as the support ably provided by our administrative staff. Parents, guardians, and other family members have also, in one way or another, made significant sacrifices and contributions to ensure the success of their loved ones.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

EDWIN NAIDU

“Education is a fundamental human right of every woman, man and child” – UNESCO

In keeping with the theme of ensuring access to education, funeral insurance firm AVBOB and Oxford University Press will give away 260 trolley libraries equipped with books donated by Oxford University Press (OUP) Southern Africa, representing 11 official South African languages, numeracy books and other learning resources, to deserving primary schools and education NPOs.

The campaign is part of instilling a culture of reading and contributing to improving the numeracy skills of primary school children across the country.

Kebo Mosweusweu, AVBOB General Manager of Shared Value and Sustainability, says experts through various studies have found that teaching in a mother tongue helps reduce dropout rates and makes education more accessible and engaging for learners.

“Equally important is the need to develop numeracy skills at the formative ages of children. Through this year’s campaign, we aim to reinforce further our commitment to instilling a love of reading in primary school learners nationally,” says Mosweusweu.

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) latest findings show that 78% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa could not read meaningfully in any language because they need to be taught basic literacy in the language they speak at home. This means that only 22% of the country’s 10-year-olds understand what they have read.

Hanri Pieterse, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Southern Africa, says a good reader needs a developed written vocabulary to read with meaning. “This is why a child must learn how to read in their mother tongue. When they do; they develop this written vocabulary more easily as the words they read match the words they hear and speak”.

Oxford University Press Southern Africa is South Africa’s leading literacy publisher and has donated 130 000 books in all 11 official languages for this campaign.

In 2022, 180 trolley libraries were given to the winning recipients; this year (2023), that number has increased by 80 to 260 trolley libraries. The trolley libraries are sturdy structures fitted with wheels used to store the books manufactured by AVBOB Industries in Bloemfontein.

Last year, each trolley library was equipped with 430 books, whereas in 2023, each trolley will be delivered with 500 books. Each AVBOB Road to Literacy trolley library has a value of R50 000.

The total investment value for the 2023 competition is R13 million, an increase from R10 million in 2022. You can give a child the opportunity to read in their mother tongue by nominating a school/NGO in your community to receive one of 260 trolley libraries each to the value of R50 000.

How to nominate a school?

Calls for nominations for this year’s campaign will open on 01 March 2023 at 09h00. The public is encouraged to take part in this initiative by submitting electronic nominations as to why their choice of school or educational NPO deserves to win a trolley library equipped with books.

To nominate a school or an educational NPO, the nominator must include the desired language for the library so that the winners can receive books in their preferred language. Nominators can nominate deserving primary schools or educational NPOs who serve learners in Grades R – 7.

Please visit https://clickme1.zero-data.co.za/RTL_PR to select your chosen beneficiary.

INSIDE EDUCATION

STAFF REPORTER

THE University of KwaZulu-Natal has unveiled its plan for sustainable growth and excellence over the
next decade. The University’s 10-year Strategic Plan (2023-2032) was recently announced by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nana Poku, who described it as the “most ambitious plan by the University to date”.

“Over the next ten years, the University will build a resilient physical and human infrastructure to
foster innovation and entrepreneurship while continuing to engage in cutting-edge research,” he
said.

The Strategic Plan, which serves as a guide for University operations over the next decade, highlights five strategic goals to propel the University forward, i.e., Excellent Teaching and Learning, Excellent Student Experience; Excellent and High Impact Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship; High Impact Societal and Stakeholder Community Engagement; and Targeted Internationalisation.

“By creating partnerships and relationships with public and private sector partners as a vehicle for achieving its aspirations, the University will pursue its core purpose – to inspire greatness in every aspect of its mandate,” said Poku.

The University will strive to establish key high-impact interdisciplinary research institutes and promote institutional collaboration with industry and all stakeholders to provide a strong foundation that ensures relevant programmes are continually offered.

Chairperson of Council, Dr Leticia Moja, believes the plan will play a vital role in repositioning the University for continued global competitiveness and sustainability.

“As Council, we are excited to be part of this ambitious and forward-looking blueprint of the University for the next ten years. We applaud the hard work and diligence of the task team members who developed this Strategic Plan
and the stakeholders who provided input in the strategic planning process,” she said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

PHUTI MOSOMANE

KWAZULU-NATAL Education MEC, Mbali Frazer, says that building a stronger working relationship with teacher unions is crucial to ensuring stability in education.

Fraser was addressing the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) KZN 6th annual excellence awards in Durban on Friday. 

“Today’s celebration of excellence in the education sector has further cemented my belief that the Department of Education’s strong partnerships with teachers’ unions and parents are essential for the stability of the education system in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Frazer.

As the biggest union in the sector, Frazer said SADTU plays a critical role in transforming the education sector. 

“We value our relationship with SADTU and appreciate our meaningful engagements and collaborations as a critical partner in the delivery of quality education in our great province of KwaZulu-Natal,” she said. 

Frazer said the province will continue supporting efforts by the union to advance professional development of educators and improve efficiency in the education sector.

“Your dedication, hard work, and tireless efforts in shaping the lives of our learners have not gone unnoticed, and we applaud you for your unwavering commitment to education. Wherever you go in the world, a functional education system begins with a dedicated qualified teacher and an efficient curriculum,” she said.

She said educators are the unsung heroes of our society, shaping the minds and futures of our learners. 

“Their commitment never wavers even in the most challenging times as we saw with last year’s floods and the Covid-19 pandemic which presented unprecedented challenges to our education system.”

“During the height of Covid SADTU members were among those at the forefront of adapting to the new reality of remote and hybrid learning,” she said.

She said teachers showed remarkable resilience, innovation, and creativity in ensuring that no learner is left behind: “For that, we all applaud you.”

KwaZulu-Natal’s matric class of 2022 achieved 83% pass rate and showed remarkable improvement in the quality of results.  

The significant contribution of SADTU, she said, as the largest union in the education sector, particularly in KZN province, made all of this possible

“I pledge to continue to support and work with SADTU to create an enabling environment that allows all our educators to excel,” she said.

INSIDE EDUCATION 

PHUTI MOSOMANE

THE South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, together with the unions affiliated to the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) including NAPTOSA, PSA, HOSPERSA and SAOU, are considering government’s offer of 7.5% wage offer. 

The unions represent 53,9% majority in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

The unions said that the employer presented the final offer as follows:

1. An average of 7,5% for year 1 (Translation of the current non-pensionable cash gratuity into a pensionable salary). The 7,5% is implemented in a sliding scale where the lower salary levels would receive a larger percentage to close the wage gap. For an example at salary level the percentage would be 14,8% pensionable increase or what is known as baseline. The increase would apply to salary levels 1 – 12 including those remunerated in terms of an Occupation Specific Dispensation.

2. The difference between the demands on COLA and the final offer is 0,5%. As part of good faith negotiations labour had to revise its demand from 10% to 8% (7,5% employer and 8% labour) hence unions are subjecting the offer to members to decide.

3.The current cash gratuity translated into a pensionable increase was also cushioned by adding its tax as part of
pensionable increase.

4. If the cash gratuity of R1000 plus tax portion was removed as “claimed by those who seek disunity and dominance, the level 1 basic salary would be increase by 7,5% per annum to R22397,62. This would translate into R1562,62 per annum.” However, through tough negotiations, the employer acceded to 14,8% increase for salary level 1 which translated into R1539 per month.

5. In year two, which is the financial year 2024/2025, the employer has proposed to pay workers a pensionable increase set at CPI (Projected CPI for the relevant period will be deemed to be 4.5% and, in the event, the Projected CPI for the relevant period is above 6.5%, the Projected CPI will then be deemed to be 6.5%.

6. On housing allowance: the employer referred organised labour to a prior agreement that a CPI benchmarked increase would be effected yearly, hereafter referred to as the status quo.

But NEHAWU, POPCRU, DENOSA and SAPU did not to participate in the negotiations for the year 2023/2024.

Among others, NEHAWU and other public sector unions have committed to abandon the strike, return to council, and accepted the no work no pay rule.

“It is deeply concerning that unions in the public sector seem to be at odds with each other,” the majority unions at council said.

The unions urged members to engage in the mandate seeking process in their numbers so that negotiators “can secure what we have gained so far and more.”

The pay progression of 1,5% shall be paid with effect from the 1st of July 2023 in accordance with sectoral collective
agreements. 

This will further improve the notch by 1,5% for all those who shall have qualified. 

Unions said the reinstatement of the pay progression was an achievement. 

INSIDE EDUCATION 

PHUTI MOSOMANE

THE South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) Free State Provincial Secretary Mokholoane Moloi said the union welcomes the appointment of MEC for Education Makalo Mohale.

“We believe that the Premier has made a good choice in appointing MEC Makalo Mohale as he has been the MEC for the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) and understands the operation of government,” Moloi said.

He brings with him the knowledge and experience he acquired in DESTEA that the union believes could benefit the education sector, which is not new to him as he was once appointed as MEC for Education on an acting capacity in the absence of the late MEC Tate Makgoe.

Moloi said Mohale is a seasoned leader of the ANC who understands education policies of the movement that government must implement.

“We have full confidence in his capabilities and competence that he demonstrated in DESTEA to improve education.”

“As SADTU we are looking forward to a cordial, yet robust working relationship with the MEC that will enhance labour peace in the interest of education in the province,” Moloi concluded.

INSIDE EDUCATION

EDWIN NAIDU

SOUTH Africa has an endemic, growing and unique disease that is not only affecting the health of our country’s democratic structures but is also an ill-conceived form of retribution for the lack of service delivery.

Voter turnout continues to decline, but abstention is not the cure for consternation. It is a matter the North-West University (NWU) hopes to address through its unique blend of teaching- learning initiatives.

The last number of election cycles –nationally and locally – have seen a decline in voter turnout.

Viewed through the prism of voter participation, the picture painted is obscure.

Shouldn’t more voters turn out to voice their disdain if they feel empty promises continue to be made?

According to Naledi Modise, an expert at the NWU on voter behaviour, elections, electoral systems and political participation, this is a perplexing phenomenon. One, she says, that can be attributed to democratic dividends. Or rather, the lack thereof.

“We have seen fewer and fewer voters turn out with every election since about 2009. Firstly, it is a response to the socio-economic circumstances of the majority of the voters. This is due to a lack of democratic dividends. The majority feels that they are not receiving the benefits of the democracy they were promised. Their socioeconomic status and circumstances have not improved. Secondly, there is a decreased faith in or even a distrust of the democratic institutions that were established during the transition to democracy.”

Now, South Africa’s largest voting bloc is non-voters, and accountability for the dilemma and solutions are needed.

“The lack of delivery in improving the social circumstances of the people who vote for them is the responsibility of those in government and of the governing party, which is the ANC. What you also see with the decline in voter turnout is a protest against the ANC concerning services the voters have not received. So, instead of voting, they choose not to.”

However, the buck does not stop here!

INSIDE EDUCATION

The recent deaths of over 300 children in Africa and Asia have prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to warn about the use of “substandard and falsified” medical products. The organisation called for more efforts to protect children from contaminated medicine. Toxicologists Winston Morgan and Shazma Bashir unpack the story.

What caused the WHO to issue these warnings?

Over the last five months the WHO has issued three alerts warning people not to use specific over-the-counter medicine for children. The warnings came after the deaths of at least 300 children in various countries including The Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.

Medical product alerts were released in October 2022 for Africa, November 2022 for south-east Asia and for the European region in January 2023.

The WHO issues these warnings only when independent laboratory analysis has confirmed that the product is substandard or falsified and that it poses a significant threat to public health. The threat must also extend beyond one country.

The children died after consuming cough syrup contaminated with ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, leading to the WHO medical product alerts. Some of the children were as young as five. Cases were reported in at least seven countries.

What are ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol?

Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are toxic alcohols with a slightly sweet taste. They are widely used in windscreen wiper fluids and engine coolants.

These compounds are sometimes also found at very low levels as contaminants in many food ingredients and medical solvents (including propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol and glycerin/glycerol). This happens when there are poor standards of manufacturing and testing.

Medical solvents are widely used to dissolve the ingredients of a medicine. Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol contamination poisonings over the years have mainly been associated with solutions containing paracetamol.

Paracetamol in cough syrups is good and safe for children with infections. It is a pain killer which is good at reducing fever, without causing gastric irritation like aspirin or ibruprofen may do.

Are they dangerous?

Both ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are seen as toxic. A fatal oral dose is about 1,000-1,500 milligrams per kilogram. For a small child weighing 20kg a fatal single dose would be about 28 millilitres or about 6 teaspoons of pure ethylene glycol. However it is also possible to cause toxicity by consuming much lower doses over several days and weeks. That is why the WHO safe level for these chemicals is only 0.5 milligrams per kilogram per day. That’s the equivalent of 1/15th of a teaspoon per day.

What makes these glycols potentially so dangerous is that toxicity comes from the consumption of relatively large amounts before symptoms of contamination appear.

The additional danger from cough syrups is that symptoms of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol contamination, such as drowsiness, are sometimes observed in children who have not taken contaminated medicine, and can be misinterpreted as normal in a child with a cough or fever. Guardians and medical professionals may not notice what’s wrong until it’s too late.

What’s the role of paracetamol?

To understand the potential role of paracetamol in these poisonings, we need to understand what happens to ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in the body.

To be toxic, these glycols must be converted to a compound called glycoaldehyde, and then to glyoxylic acid. Glyoxylic acid can concentrate in and damage the kidneys – leading to death from renal failure.

The conversion is triggered by a certain concentration of a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ is regulated by mitochondria – small structures in human cells which regulate many chemical reactions in the body.

In a recent study, we demonstrated that at the normal dose required to treat fever, paracetamol inhibits mitochondria. Thus it affects the level of NAD+ and, in turn, the conversion of glycols to toxins. Children taking paracetamol preparations contaminated with the glycols could potentially be in danger.

We believe that the combination of medicines containing paracetamol and glycols, even when the contamination is relatively low but above the WHO acceptable limit of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day, could be lethal.

Unlike other medications or food products which do not disrupt mitochondrial function, preparations containing standard levels of paracetamol are more likely to lead to adverse outcomes for children, because of the increased metabolism of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

Other medicines and foods contaminated with low levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol probably go unnoticed because they don’t contain paracetamol.

What must be done to prevent future deaths?

If spotted early enough, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol poisoning can be treated. The two most widely used antidotes for overdose are fomepizole and ethanol. Both reduce the amount of toxic ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol metabolite produced in the body.

Incidents of mass poisonings highlight the need for greater vigilance in monitoring preparations containing paracetamol.

Medications containing paracetamol are normally very safe for children. But to avoid deaths related to cough syrup in future, both parents and medical professionals should consider glycol poisoning as a possibility if children start to display symptoms of intoxication and drowsiness after taking the medicine.

These incidents generally happen in countries categorised as the global south. Manufacturers and regulatory authorities in these countries also have a responsibility to protect children.

THE CONVERSATION

Classroom management strategies are the different techniques that educators use to manage their classrooms and ensure that students are engaged, motivated and on task. Good classroom management supports student learning and helps create a positive learning environment. In this article, we will discuss three classroom management strategies that every teacher should understand.

1. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a technique used by educators to reinforce positive behavior in students. This technique involves rewarding good behavior and ignoring negative behavior. Positive reinforcement can be as simple as verbal praise or a sticker. This type of reinforcement is an effective way to improve the behavior of students.

For example, if a student is constantly participating in class, a teacher might praise that student’s behavior by saying, “I’m really impressed with your participation. Keep up the great work!” This will encourage the student to continue participating in class.

In addition to this, positive reinforcement can also be used to build relationships with students. It helps create a positive and supportive classroom environment that encourages students to thrive.

2. Redirection

Another classroom management strategy is redirection. This technique involves redirecting a student’s attention to something else when they are exhibiting negative behavior. This can be done by changing the subject, asking a question or providing a task or activity that will keep the student engaged.

For example, if a student is talking loudly during class, a teacher may redirect their attention by saying, “Can you help me pass these worksheets out to the class?” This will keep the student engaged in a task and help them refocus their energy.

Redirection is an effective technique for teachers because it allows them to address negative behavior without disrupting the learning environment. It also helps students build a sense of responsibility and self-control.

3. Consistency

Consistency is another important classroom management strategy that teachers must practice in order to create an organized and effective learning environment. Consistency involves setting clear expectations and consequences for behavior and ensuring that they are consistently enforced.

For example, if a teacher has a rule that students should not use their phones during class, they need to consistently enforce that rule. This means that every time a student is caught using their phone, there should be a consequence. This will send a clear message to students that the rules are important and will be consistently enforced.

Consistency helps create a sense of order and structure in the classroom, which can lead to improved behavior and academic performance. It also helps students understand what is expected of them and how they are expected to behave.

In conclusion, understanding and implementing classroom management strategies is essential for any teacher. Positive reinforcement, redirection, and consistency are just a few of the many techniques that can help create a positive learning environment and improve student behavior. By using these strategies, teachers can create a classroom that is organized, supportive, and conducive to learning.