Inside Education

THE spectacular aurora also known as the Southern Lights, caused by a solar storm that impacted the Earth on 10 and 11 May, was seen and captured across the southern hemisphere, including in southern Africa in places such as Gansbaai and in Namibia.

A team of researchers from the North-West University (NWU) captured this rare and historic event through the university’s solar telescope observatory on the Potchefstroom Campus.

This observatory records solar activity daily, and on NWU’s Open Day on 4 May, two researchers and a student from the Centre for Space Research at the NWU noticed a particularly active region when they made their observations.

Dr Ruhann Steyn and master’s degree student Calmay Lee decided to focus the telescopes on where the activity was as part of a demonstration to prospective students and their parents.

At that stage, they were unaware they were recording one of the largest active regions in recent history. The next week, the team focused on the active region (AR 3664, shown in the image), which produced several large solar flares that caused the aurora.

Calmay recorded a sizeable solar flare produced by AR 3664 in real-time at 09:00 on 11 May – an extraordinary event to capture on the NWU solar telescope.

“Although AR 3664 has now moved out of sight, it is still producing large solar flares,” says Dr Steyn.

He says that while a repeat of the auroras seen in South Africa is not expected, the team will continue observing active regions in the hope of learning more about the Sun and the little-understood processes that generate such beautiful phenomena here on Earth.

Largest solar storm in more than two decades

During the evening of 10 May and the early morning of 11 May, people in many parts of the world were treated to a sight rarely seen outside the polar regions.

The aurora results from a solar flare transporting solar energetic particles from the Sun to the Earth along the Sun’s magnetic field. Some of the particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and are then carried to the South and North Pole.

“The particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere, emitting light with a particular colour, depending on whether it collided with either an oxygen or a nitrogen atom,” explains Dr Steyn.

He says the majority of aurora sightings in South Africa were red, which means that these collisions were mostly with oxygen atoms at an altitude between 240 and 450 km above the surface of the Earth.

On 10 May, AR 3664 spanned over 200,000 km across the solar disk. “To give an idea of the magnitude of this region: it is the equivalent of more than 15 times the diameter of the Earth.”

Prof Eugene Engelbrecht from NWU’s Centre for Space Research says the presence of solar flares is not unusual. Solar activity has increased over the past five years, with the Sun approaching the peak of its usual 11-year solar cycle.

“What was different this time was the magnitude of this particular flare, along with the sheer size of the active region it came from,” he concludes.

Sports Reporter

THE Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the South African Football Association held a send-off function for the Ubuntu Academy School and Edendale Technical High School at Fun Valley in Johannesburg.

The schools will represent South Africa at the 2024 CAF Africa School Championship Cup to be played on the 21-24 May 2024 in Zanzibar with 20 participating Teams (10 Boys / 10 Girls).

The CAF Africa School Championship Cup is in its third edition after it was launched as a pilot tournament by FIFA as the “Pan Africa School Champions Cup”, aimed at promoting and developing school football in Africa.

South Africa will be represented in the boys’ category by Ubuntu Academy School from Western Cape and the girls’ category by Edendale Technical High School from KwaZulu-Natal. Edendale Technical High School will be playing in its third consecutive CAF Africa School Championship Cup.

Both schools represented the country after winning the 2023 Winter National School Sport Championships held in Gauteng, Benoni, in July 2023. They subsequently represented the country again at the Regional (COSAFA) stage held last December in Zimbabwe, which they won.

The School Sports Championships remain a natural stimulant of the rollout of the school sports league programme, where learners are provided with access to participate in an organised sport programme. This programme is a product born out of the institutional and legislative frameworks, as endorsed at the 2011 Sports Indaba.

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Inside Education Reporter

THE Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was passed in the National Assembly, Parliament, on 16 May 2024, with 223 votes in favour and 78 votes against. This is a major achievement for the 6th Administration and for the transformation of the South African Basic Education Sector after almost a decade of deliberation.

The next step is for the President to sign it into law. The BELA Bill amends specific sections of the South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1986 and the Employment of Educators Act (EEA) of 1998 to respond to administrative challenges facing schools and continue the education system’s transformation agenda.

The Bill does not include curriculum, infrastructure, teachers, human resources or inclusive education.

In 1994, the new democratic government inherited a grossly unequal education system based on the Bantu Education Act of 1953. It faced the mammoth task of dismantling the 19 separate education departments to create a single unified education system.

The government had to implement new legal and regulatory policy frameworks, including establishing organisations and institutions that created the conditions for effective transformation from the old to the new. Today, our educational system is fairer and more balanced. It has resulted in a steady decline in the percentage of adults who have not received an education.

As South Africa celebrates 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy at the close of the 6th Administration of Government and has five years remaining to reach the 2030 targets set by the National Development Plan (NDP), the Basic Education Sector looks back at a few of the strides made.

The government has continued to pursue pro-poor policies to tackle the multifaceted factors impeding access to basic education systematically. These policies encompass the establishment of non-fee-paying schools, the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), free textbooks, and scholar transport.

The new democratic policies sought improvements in education, including increasing access, enrolments, and school completion, enhancing educational policies, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all, especially previously disadvantaged groups.

To respond to an ever-changing economy and to better prepare learners for the future, the country has introduced a curriculum that equips learners with Skills and Competencies for a Changing World.

The new curriculum offerings include inter alia Coding and Robotics, 11 new Technical Subjects and new Technical Subject Specialisations. The Entrepreneurship Framework is also being implemented in many schools to prepare young people for entrepreneurship, employment, and employability. One of the major achievements of the 6th Administration was the transfer of Early Childhood Development (ECD) coordination from the Department of Social Development to Basic Education.

The DBE is now making every effort to increase participation through, for instance, a mass registration drive for ECD programmes. Quality improvement initiatives are being introduced, including a new ECD Infrastructure Strategy, curriculum support materials, and new forms of practitioner training and support.

School attendance is essential in growing and equipping individuals to contribute to the development of our communities and nation. There are More High-Level National School Certificate (NSC) outcomes than ever before, especially among female learners.

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Staff Reporter

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is proud to announce its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of dedication to promoting mathematics excellence in South Africa.

Founded in 2004 by members of the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS) and the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA), SAMF has been instrumental in advancing mathematics education in the country.

Prof Kerstin Jordaan, Executive Director of the SAMF, expressed her appreciation for SAMF’s journey over the past two decades, stating, “SAMF has been a cornerstone in advancing mathematics education in South Africa. We are proud of our achievements over the last 20 years and look forward to continuing our mission of promoting mathematics excellence in our country.”

SAMF continues to play a vital role in nurturing mathematical talent, fostering a love for mathematics, and promoting excellence across South Africa.

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Staff Reporter

THE Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has launched the Brits SMART SKILLS CENTRE, a groundbreaking initiative to develop digital skills in Brits and its surrounding regions.

Spearheaded by the CHIETA in collaboration with Orbit TVET College, this centre promises to catalyse innovation and opportunity in the community.

The centre aims to bridge the digital skills divide and accelerate the development of basic digital skills for a future-fit workplace as part of the CHIETA strategy to innovate for impact in societies nationwide.

Since October 2022, CHIETA has established smart skills centres in Saldana Bay in the Western Cape, at the Mthashana Skills Centre in Babanango, a small rural town near Melmoth in Kwazulu-Natal and at the Iqhayiya campus of the Port Elizabeth TVET College in Gqeberha.

It follows a call from the Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, who articulated a vision for SMART Skills Centres to be established in all parts of the country by 2020.

The Brits SMART Skills Centre will provide comprehensive digital skills programs tailored for enterprises, individuals, schools, and TVET colleges. With a particular focus on rural learners, the centre aims to bridge the digital divide by offering access to data and a wide range of training courses.

“Whether you’re a job seeker, a budding entrepreneur, or a small business owner looking to expand, our services are designed to empower you on your journey to success,” said CHIETA chief executive officer Yershen Pillay.

Key Features of the Centre Include:

Access to Data Resources

Tailored Training Courses

Support for Job Seekers

Assistance for Business Start-ups

Growth Opportunities for SMMEs

CHIETA plans to launch in Giyani next as part of its goal of building an intelligent centre in every province in the country. This will ensure people in rural areas can access free services and training courses, with data access for job seekers, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and business start-ups. The centre is fully automated and has equipment that meets 4IR training requirements. 

According to Pillay, “The SMART Skills Centres usher in a new era of skills development and training that would be located within rural communities and able to offer digitised training programmes for rural masses.”

Deputy Director General in the Department of Higher Education, Zukile Mvalo, welcomed the centre’s opening in Brits. “As a department, we are proud of the groundbreaking work done by CHIETA in rolling out Smart Centres in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The North-West is next to benefit from the Smart Centres; we are excited at the impactful outcomes, particularly its potential impact on people of Brits,” he said.

The launch follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Orbit TVET College less than a year ago.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Parliament has passed the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment bill, described by some as a watershed moment that could see the change in the language of instruction for schools.

Against a background of criticism, the bill amends the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act if enacted, will allow the Head of Department to decide on what language will be used in the classroom – instead of the School Governing Body.

Solidarity Union spokesperson Dirk Hermann said the government does not appreciate the concerns of the Afrikaans community.

“BELA gives the head of department final authority if it comes to school admissions and language, and that is a substantial threat to Afrikaans schools. Government underestimates our sentiments about Afrikaans, and this could lead to a dispute between the government and the Afrikaans community and that could lead, unfortunately, to litigation,” Hermann said.

Afriforum head of cultural affairs, Alana Bailey, said the organisation will oppose the BELA bill with legal action nationally, and, if necessary, internationally because it posed a threat to the continued existence of Afrikaans schools and quality education.

“This morning a committee member stated that he and some fellow parliamentarians are tired of being threatened with court action, but the public is tired of being ignored and confronted with flawed, ill-considered and even harmful legislation that disregards our civil rights,” Bailey said.

However, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga praised the passing of the bill and said it was the result of a long and hard process.

“I am happy and grateful for the people who have assisted us in this process. It’s been long in the making, almost ten years. All of the clauses, we needed them,” Motshekga said.

Basic Education head of communication Elijah Mhlanga said that despite the misconceptions, there is no drive to disempower SGBs.

“It aspires to harmonise the powers of the SGB with the directives of the relevant provincial head of department. While the SGB is initially tasked with setting a school’s language policy, the bill emphasises that this authority is not unequivocal. It ascertains that such policies are adaptable, inclusive and congruent with the constitutional right to basic education,” Mhlanga said.

He said that the bill aimed to guarantee a constitutional right to education and is centred on ensuring schools adopt a compassionate and pragmatic stance towards supporting students.

The department said the bill addresses key challenges that have, for years, hindered the progress of the educational ecosystem.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi joined the debate and called its passing ‘a victory for transformation’.

“From now on, no racist will determine the language policy for a non-racial South Africa! We said it, and we are saying it, the one who laughs last, laughs best! When those who won a racist court case refusing our children to enroll at a Vaal school, we told them, enjoy it while it last! Victory is certain!” the premier said.

Following its passing, the bill will be sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa for approval to be signed into law.

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Inside Education Reporter

THE Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, held a special ministerial meeting with the Council of the Fort Hare University last Friday.

This meeting follows the Minister’s visit to the University in June 2023, to meet with the Council regarding several concerns that were raised by the University stakeholders.

The purpose of the meeting was for the Council to provide the Minister with a progress update on the University’s response to the concerns he raised in 2023.

In addition, the Council is expected to provide the Minister with a comprehensive plan on how the University has been addressing some of the serious governance issues that have led to it becoming the focus of negative media attention.

The Council is also expected to provide the Minister with a report on the implications and impact on the governance of the arrest of so many senior university managers, including those in the Vice Chancellor’s office.

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Inside Education Reporter

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, together with the Eastern Cape Department Of Education MEC Fundile Gade and USAID, handed over new classrooms and renovated ablution facilities to Zwelemfundo Primary School in Scenery Park, East London, on Monday.

This project – one of similar projects currently undertaken by the US government, in partnership with the DBE, nationwide – is a result of the collaboration between the Governments of South Africa and the United States of America, through its agencies, in areas of education.

The handover ceremony was a symbolic event on behalf of all the past building projects by the US in the Eastern Cape.

During the event, Minister Motshekga said: “Significant strides have been made in building essential school infrastructure, with the United States Office of Defense Cooperation providing critical support in constructing educational facilities that directly impact our students’ learning environments.

“This support, a testament to the power of diplomatic engagement, demonstrates how bilateral cooperation can navigate the complexities of global geopolitics to produce tangible benefits for our communities.”

While in East London for the infrastructure handover in Scenery Park, Motshekga, also visited Mthombolwazi Daycare Centre to engage with the Early Childhood Centre (ECD) practitioners there.

Since the ECD function shift, Motshekga has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to engaging with ECD practitioners. She believes it is crucial to hear the voices on the ground, stating: “This is critical following the ECD function shift, as we seek to support the practitioners and sector as a whole. I am dedicated to this cause and will continue to engage whenever the opportunity arises.”

In January 2024, Motshekga announced that a Mass Registration Drive would be launched to pull every early learning programme (ELP) into the regulatory net. This will ensure that all ELPs, including those in low-income communities, can be supported to comply with regulatory requirements and receive ongoing oversight.

It will also ultimately ensure that the ECD subsidy can benefit more of the children for whom it is intended.

The DBE is currently in the process of testing the new Mass Registrations system.

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Staff Reporter

THE Department of Higher Education and Training, under Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande, said it is aware of green hydrogen’s vast opportunities.

The deputy director general in charge of skills for the DHET, Zukile Mvalo, participated in a roundtable on Monday in Sandton titled “Green Hydrogen: Opportunities and Challenges En Route to a Sustainable Future.”

Hosted by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (NCIB) and the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA) on Monday, Mvalo said the government was making great strides to harness the sector in terms of skills and training for the opportunities in South Africa’s dynamic green hydrogen landscape.

He said because green hydrogen has profound economic and social implications, including job creation, skills development, and the fostering of new industries, Minister Nzimande launched several Labour Market Intelligence reports last month on the Skills Needs for the Economy and the Identification of Skills Needed for the Hydrogen Economy. One focused on the hydrogen sector, underscoring its critical importance to the economy and job creation.

South Africa is exploring the potential for green hydrogen as an energy source to meet the country’s net-zero ambitions and stimulate economic growth.

The research has predicted that South Africa will deploy at least 15 gigawatts of electrolysis to produce 500 kilotonnes of green hydrogen annually for use in the transportation, built environment, industrial, and power sectors, creating approximately 30,000 jobs by 2040.

“It indicates that we have our work cut out for ourselves, particularly CHIETA, as the report maps out the skills supply and demand in the hydrogen economy,” Mvalo said.

This means that the current hydrogen skills market needs to be expanded, especially in the chemical industry, where engineers and industry skills are urgently needed.

“Skills development is integral to the hydrogen economy. When employed in a job that does not match their skills profile, they are mismatched to their job. This cannot be overcome by increasing the number of graduates.

“On-the-job training and retraining are also needed. There must be a review of curriculum changes to include specific requirements for the green hydrogen economy,” he said.

Current qualifications, programmes and curricula offered in SA do not boast any hydrogen-related qualifications or programmes offered at the undergraduate level.

A few local higher education institutes have introduced hydrogen-related topics in their institutions, with research focusing on fuel cell innovation, green hydrogen production, and storage and distribution qualifications. However, overall, hydrogen qualifications are missing in SA institutions.

The increase in the production of green hydrogen will lead to an increased demand for artisans and technicians. As part of the training, the DHET has considered National Certificate (Vocational) (NC[V]), NATED and Occupational Qualifications.

Here, we have identified (mainly engineering) which can help foundational knowledge and skills necessary to support the hydrogen economy in SA.

“Globally and locally, there is a shortage of human resources with the requisite knowledge, skills, and industry experience to impart to students at schools, CETs, TVETs, and universities,” he said.

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Staff Reporter

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande has blasted the Senate of Stellenbosch University for voting against a motion on ‘Genocide and Destruction of Scholarship and Education in Gaza.’

In its text, the draft motion calls for among others, “an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid, the return of all captives including the safe return of hostages captured by Hamas.”

The draft motion also calls for “the condemnation of the destruction of the education sector in Gaza and the massive scale of killing of teachers and university staff in the current war and further expressed concern and opposition to any attempts to curtail academic freedom by labeling criticism of Israel or Zionist policies as antisemitism.”

The Senate rejected this progressive draft motion by a vote of 101 against 80, with 18 abstentions.

“This decision by the Senate is both insensitive, blatantly racist and fails to appreciate that, at stake here, is a matter of fundamental human rights- the genocide and mass murder of Palestinians,” said Nzimande.

Nzimande added that the barbarism and racism of Israel has virtually been condemned by most of humanity, including the United Nations General Assembly.

Close to 100 Palestinian professors have been killed, over 12 universities have been destroyed in Gaza (virtually destroying the entire university system in Gaza), and hospitals attacked with murdered patients buried in mass graves.

Last week, the Israeli Cabinet closed Al Jazeera and banned its broadcasting to the Israeli population. “Therefore, the decision by the Senate amounts to a monumental betrayal of the sacrifices of academics like David Webster and Rick Turner, without whose sacrifice we would not have defeated the evil system of apartheid. This decision is, therefore, profoundly shameful and takes us back to the darkest days of apartheid,” the Minister said.

“Whilst I respect university autonomy and academic freedom, the Senate must be made to understand that there is no autonomy from racism, genocide, apartheid, and violation of fundamental human rights,” charged Nzimande. 

Labeling the decision repugnant, Nzimande said the Senate of Stellenbosch University has essentially legitimised the mass murder and dispossession of the oppressed people of Palestine, including that of fellow academics.

“I call on all progressive members of Council, alumni, the workers, and the student leadership at Stellenbosch University to condemn this morally bankrupt and profoundly racist decision by the Senate.”

The Minister urged all South Africa’s universities to make their voices heard in the global campaign of solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemnation of the crimes of the Zionist regime in Israel.

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