INSIDE EDUCATION REPORTER

THE Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will present its findings and recommendations of the South African National Survey on Health Life Experiences and Family Relations study to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation in Parliament on Friday following another violent incident at a tertiary institution in the country.

A University of the Western Cape student who reportedly stabbed a female student believed to be his wife at a private student residence at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town was arrested in connection with the incident.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education Science and Innovation, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, welcomed the arrest and said tertiary institutions must do more to address violence on campuses.

“Institutions of higher learning are one of many social institutions that ought to play a role in shaping and harnessing the social construction of societies in alignment to our constitution that speaks of a non-sexist society.”

The committee continuously invites the portfolio committees on police, and women, youth and people with disabilities on a wide range and cross cutting GBV and gender related matters.

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education Science and Innovation has extended an invitation to the chairpersons of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and of the Multi Party Women’s Caucus to its upcoming meeting.

Furthermore, the committee further urged Higher Health and the institution’s mental health services to ensure that the victim and the entire CPUT community receives the support it needs to get through such a traumatic experience has welcomed the arrest of the University of the Western Cape student who reportedly stabbed a female student believed to be his wife at a private student residence in Cape Town.

The committee wishes the victim of the assault from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPTU) a speedy recovery and further calls for a multipronged approach to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in society and at institutions of higher learning.

The committee is concerned that a scourge of GBV continues to plague society and has reached unacceptable levels, in which institutions of higher learning have not been spared.

The committee calls upon the full implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBV which aims to provide a multi-sectoral strategic policy and programming framework to strengthen a coordinated response to the GBV crisis.

The committee welcomes initiatives of the Department of Higher Education and Training in introducing programmes such as the Higher Health Civic Education and Health Skills Programme as well as the Transforming MENtalities programmes as part of the curriculum.

The Transforming MENtalities Initiative is a programme focused on men in the higher education sector to be part and champions of a world free of GBV and against all forms of discrimination.

The committee welcomes the introduction of these programmes in the Post School Education and Training sector as they contribute to assist in shaping the social construction of students.

The committee said it engages with the Commission for Gender Equality on its investigations in universities and TVET colleges regarding GBV, and gender related matters reported at institutions.

The committee has had follow up meetings with institutions to ensure that they implement observations and recommendations of the CGE.

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Lerato Mbhiza

THE man captured on video viciously stabbing a woman, said to be his wife, several times at a student residence in Belhar in the Western Cape on Saturday morning has been arrested and is in hospital under police guard.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a 30-year-old man was arrested and the Belhar police registered an attempted murder case following a stabbing incident where a 26-year-old woman student was injured.

“Circumstances surrounding this stabbing incident are under investigation. The injured victim was transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Investigations continue,” said Van Wyk.

A spokesperson for the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Lauren Kansley said the university offered assistance to students who may have been traumatised by the incident.

“The incident happened at a privately owned residence. The female student sustained serious injuries and has been transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for emergency surgery.

Gasant Abarder, the spokesperson for the University of Western Cape where the attacker is alleged to be a student, said they condemned any act of gender-based violence.

“At a time when UWC pronounced its zero tolerance for gender-based violence and communicated its condemnation of any acts of gender-based violence and femicide, it notes a disturbing report of the stabbing of a female CPUT student on 11 November 2023. It is alleged that the student’s spouse, who is a UWC student, stabbed her at her South Point residence.

The incident has sparked outrage, with the DA saying it would visit the university on Tuesday to meet with university management.

“Heightened security measures on campuses and residences must be prioritised. Our thoughts are with the victim and the wider student community.

“The DA calls on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and take decisive action against the perpetrator,” it said.

Meanwhile,  Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has welcomed the arrest of the suspect.

“Minister Nzimande welcomes the swift response of law enforcement agencies in arresting the perpetrator who, according to the video footage in circulation, was so merciless and barbaric in committing the crime against his spouse.  

“Minister Nzimande urges all institutions working with Higher Health (which oversees wellness at higher education institutions) to continue working collectively in implementing programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence within the Post School Education and Training system,” said spokesperson  Ishmael Mnisi.

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Inside Education Correspondent

Dr Phumzile Langa, Director for the Rural Education Directorate at the DBE, recently participated in a Work Integrated Learning Conference hosted by the UNISA’s College of Education in Pretoria. 

The Conference was attended by renowned education experts from various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The theme of the Conference was “Employing and strengthening Work Integrated Learning as a strategy to enhance academic and workplace competencies in the context of 4IR”. 

On welcoming the delegates, Prof Mpine Makoe. Executive Dean of the College of Education highlighted that, “UNISA is one of the key developers of the education profession in the country, and so, through this Conference, we want to sharpen and refine the application of theory by aspiring teachers we produce through the application of Work Integrated Learning”.

In her official address, Dr Langa informed the attendees that the DBE had initiated the Integrated Strategic Planning Framework for Teacher Education and Development in SA, 2011-2025, in line with its ambition to
recruit suitable young vibrant teachers.

“Through this Framework, the DBE has committed to making concerted efforts to attract and encourage high-achieving school-leavers to strengthen the teaching profession. 

“This will be achieved through effective implementation of strong teacher recruitment strategies and the sustainability of bursary programmes such as the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme. 

“Despite these efforts, attracting and retaining young, qualified teachers in rural schools has remained a serious challenge. The need for new teachers is more pronounced in certain phases of schooling and subject areas. 

“One of the primary factors contributing to this challenge is the high cost of obtaining a degree, which prevents students from embarking on teacher education studies, especially for those from poor socio- economic backgrounds. 

“There is a need to explore teacher recruitment and retention strategies that respond to contextual and economic needs of the country,” elaborated Dr Langa.

Dr Langa proposed a Context-Specific Work Integrated Learning Model for Initial Teacher Training. 

“Through this model, HEIs would benefit from course planning and needs analysis in their teacher education programmes. It will ensure that courses offered align with the needs of schools in terms of phases of schooling and subject areas. Furthermore, the model will also contribute to enhancing the livelihoods of rural youth”. 

The DBE has committed to achieve this through the contextualisation of the National Framework for Rural Education, which provides a basis for the development of context-specific, relevant and sustainable strategies
to improve teacher recruitment and retention. 

It recommends youth exposure to working in rural schools through an effective and targeted Education Assistants Programme as a significant strategy. While still on the Framework, it is noteworthy to mention that
the DBE piloted and conducted a three-year action research known as the Rural Education Assistants Project (REAP). 

The project targeted unemployed youth to work as Education Assistants in rural schools with the aim of enrolling them in School-Based Initial Teacher Training Programmes using various models from distance, online and block release for face-to-face sessions.

“The findings emanating from the research conducted by the DBE on REAP, demonstrated the strategy as an effective mechanism for teacher recruitment and retention in rural schools, especially by exposing the youth to experiential training in the teaching profession; the realities of rural schooling contexts; and as a way of providing ongoing school-based mentorship, all of which are crucial to the development of skills, attitudes and attributes to become a quality teacher on exiting the system. 

“The proposed model therefore will solve the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention, but its implementation would require the DBE to forge a strong partnership with HEIs, including UNISA,” emphasised
Dr Langa.

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Staff Reporter

Having won the Varsity Football Women’s league and fought tooth and nail for the Hollywoodbets Super league (equal on points with the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC with an inferior goal-difference), the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Women’s Football team has undoubtedly achieved significantly this year.

The selection of four of its players to the senior national women’s team Banyana Banyana World Cup squad in Australia and New Zealand put a cherry on top of coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s side’s accolades, which undisputedly earned them Team of the Year at the 2023 UWC Sports
Award.

Mbuli walked away with the Coach of the Year accolade for a third consecutive year, while one of her star players, Bongeka Gamede, who played all Banyana Banyana games in the World Cup, took home the biggest prize – the Sportswoman of the Year award. Sprinter Gianno Peddy received the Sportsman of the Year award.

Mbuli, who is also the assistant coach of Banyana Banyana, attributed the success to teamwork.

“I’m a believer in teamwork, so when the team does well, individuals then get to shine. But then I don’t work alone. I work with an amazing technical team and super talented players that I always say we are
blessed to have. Our job becomes easy when you work with committed and hard-working individuals.”

Mbuli’s aspirations for the future involve witnessing players graduate and continue to compete at a high level.  “We want to be the team that produces players that can go play professional football abroad after completing their studies.”

Jenna Bam was among those celebrated at the event when she received the Outstanding Recognition Award. 
 
“This award means a great deal to me as I am so passionate about what I do. To be recognised for something you see as a hobby, something you look forward to doing every day you wake up, is unbelievable. I can’t
thank UWC enough for this award and I am so grateful for what the University has done for me.”
 
Bam credits UWC for giving her an opportunity to acquire valuable video analysis skills. When she was at UWC, she worked as the Rugby Sport Scientist and Performance Analyst for three-years. 

“To go from not knowing how to code three-years ago, to becoming the South African Netball Video Analyst in three-years is testament to the educational environment that UWC offers and encourages. 

“Any person that enters that high performance environment is sure to come out with valuable experience and a lifetime of knowledge that no one can take from them,” said Bam happily. 
 
Bam also wished that UWC Sport would continue to shine. “I hope that UWC Sport only goes upwards from here. There is so much talent that is dying to be recognised and so many determined student athletes that have a bright future ahead of them.”

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Inside Education Reporter

THE international launch of the African Synthesis Centre for Climate Change, Environment and Development (ASCEND) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is set to accelerate the pace and nature of climate change action across Africa and globally.

Launched on 1 November, ASCEND will provide a specialised infrastructure for teams of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to harness and integrate diverse data and knowledge on climate change
to accelerate discoveries and enhance equitable and effective action on climate change and development.

The new centre will be hosted at UCT’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) and represents a first for the continent. It is also the world’s first synthesis centre that focuses on climate change and development and will be underpinned by a strong focus on the Global South. “The 2020s are a critical decade for climate action.”

In an era of rapid climate change, research knowledge and data on climate change impacts and solutions have burgeoned worldwide, said ASCEND director, Dr Christopher Trisos.

“We often think of sophisticated equipment like a radio telescope or a biotech laboratory as essential for scientific discovery, but in this age of complex social and environmental challenges –such as climate change
– another form of research infrastructure is now essential too: synthesis centres.”

As a synthesis centre, ASCEND will provide a platform for transdisciplinary teams of policymakers, researchers and practitioners to synthesise and leverage the wealth of existing data and knowledge for climate change solutions. 

The aim is to generate actionable research that will advance climate-resilient development, the core of which is the well-being of people and ecosystems.

The 2020s are a critical decade for climate action,” Dr Trisos said at the launch, attended by high-level researchers, government representatives and funders from Africa and abroad.

“Decision-makers, practitioners, and researchers must address complex problems that cut across disciplines, geographies and socioeconomic divides to enable the transformative change necessary to secure a sustainable future for all.

“Climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty are interlinked problems that cannot be solved by any single discipline. A lack of data and knowledge synthesis limits breakthrough research and decision-making.”

The centre will welcome synthesis teams in 2024, when work begins on the BAOBAB synthesis project for African research on climate change.This will bring together climate change data, researchers, and decision- makers from across the continent and nurture African scholars and scholarship.

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Inside Education Reporter

THE first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange in Chongqing, China earlier this month is an historic occasion, while celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road partnership, with this first dedicated event to focus on the strategic role science and technology should play, to accelerate, deepen and expand Belt and Road cooperation. 

“South Africa is privileged to be part of the Belt and Road,” said Minister of Higher Education, Science Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande.

 “At a time when international solidarity and multilateralism is under attack through the unilateral, biased, and selfish action by some,
ensuring global governance is enhanced to become truly inclusive and more responsive to the concerns of developing countries, deserves our urgent attention. Science, technology and innovation can and should play a critical role to help us achieve this objective,” Nzimande added. 

“Scientific and technological cooperation is an important part of Belt and Road cooperation. China will carry forward the Silk Road
spirit characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, implement the Belt
and Road Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan in an in-depth manner.

“Advance international exchanges in scientific and technological innovation, and work with other countries to jointly tap into the potential for innovative growth, unlock the potential of innovative cooperation, strengthen partnerships on innovation, promote the delivery of innovation outcomes to the greater benefit of people of all the countries, boost the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the building of a human community with a shared future.”

Nzimande said of the most serious challenges currently posed to global security is the lack of inclusive global governance, meaningfully involving developing countries, of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. 

He said South Africa therefore welcomes and strongly supports China’s proposal for a new Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence Governance. 

“I would therefore like to propose that we launch a dedicated programme to support transnational research and innovation cooperation between Belt and Road partners. 

“South Africa stands ready to contribute to such an initiative, by for example sharing the experience gained by entities such as our National Research Foundation and Technology Innovation Agency. 

“Let us believe in our ability to change the future, let us change the future to truly make it a better world for all, and let us accomplish our task to develop the Belt and Road science, technology and innovation partnership.”

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Inside Education Reporter

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has been saddened by the untimely passing of Nomvuyo Violet Ntsali (66), the Board of Directors Deputy Chairperson of Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG). 

Ms Ntsali died in the morning on Thursday, 2 November 2023, after a short illness at home. Before her short illness, she had been hospitalised for a week in September 2023 and later discharged to recover at home. She showed commitment to improving education as she carried on with her duties, despite her ill-health, until her untimely death.

The MGSLG was established to continue with the legacy of anti- apartheid activist and dedicated teacher Matthew Goniwe (1946 – 1985), to improve quality of education. 

This institution has consistently worked alongside the Gauteng Department of Education, playing a pivotal role in shaping the standard and inclusivity of education in the province. 

Through the leadership, dedication and support of Ms Ntsali, MGSLG succeeded in providing training on governance to members of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) across the province, funding the studies of prospective Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, helping them obtain their qualifications, and ultimately spearheading research. 

She was laid to rest at the weekend.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Jonathan Paoli

Education is a societal issue, since the school is a microcosm of society, nsays MEC for Education and Youth Development Matome Chiloane in his address to 240 delegates on the status of safety at the province’s schools on Saturday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.

Violence and incidents of crime have increased at schools, prompting a collaborative effort to stem the tide. An example is that on Friday, a gang failed in their attempt to stop matric learners from writing examinations. The Acting HOD Rufus Mmutlana said while giving a brief background on the state of school safety in Gauteng, which led to the indaba. 

The School Safety Indaba is part of the Safe Schools Campaign, a commitment under the Operation Kgutla Molao – Restore Order
Campaign, which mobilises different stakeholders to safeguard schools against criminal activities, especially during the holidays.

The Indaba evaluated the progress of the campaign so far, developing further interventions for emerging threats and also providing a status update on identified high-risk schools in the province.

Chiloane told stakeholders present at the Indaba that the safety of public schools in Gauteng was paramount and spoke about the interventions that have been implemented at schools across the province.

The school is a microcosm of the larger society, Chiloane said and the context of the challenges faced by learners at the school extended beyond the actual school, and the reflection of society, required an integrated approach involving the contribution of various stakeholders, including parents, families, communities, and NGOs.

The MEC further highlighted the obstacles faced by school safety intervention programmes which undermined their success, including
social challenges brought into the school environment, territorial constraints upon what schools can do, as well as the lack of resources needed to improve the physical side of safety development, namely non- educational staff as well as the implementation of safety technology.

The Director of Psychosocial Support Services Anthony Meyers spoke about learner support systems while inputs from the NGO ChildLine Gauteng, the Teddy Bear Foundation and the SA Depression and Anxiety Group were heard, outlining school-based intervention programmes, early-stage interventions and mental health programmes.

Director of Clinical Services of the Teddy Bear Foundation, Shaheda Omar detailed the current condition of support within schools and said that 42% of children have been exposed to violence, with currently only 127 social workers across the province.

She further highlighted the contextual factors of mental health among learners and said a holistic approach was required. “Poverty doesn’t create abuse, but it does create the conditions under which abuse flourishes,” Omar said.

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Inside Education Reporter

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, wrote to the Board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on the outcomes of the investigations by the Werksmans attorneys relating to BID NO. SCMN022/2021 and related matters and demanded answers.

In the letter to the Board, Nzimande said notwithstanding and given the urgent need to address the challenges currently facing NSFAS, he wrote to the NSFAS Board to communicate his initial response to the report, request some information, and direct the Board to take certain steps immediately to avert further descent into the abyss of the current challenges.

Nzimande also expressed his deep disquiet about the irregularities, mismanagement and poor governance that is revealed in the report and that the findings of the report are of a very serious nature, and need to be taken as such.

“Given the serious and sensitive nature of the report, officials of the department are still studying the report, guided by our legal department, to be in a good stead to advise me on how best comprehensively to respond thereto,” said Minister Nzimande.  

In this regard, the Minister commended the Board for having accepted the report, its findings, and its recommendations. 

“Given the serious nature of the matters that were under investigation however, the question does arise as to what was the role of the board throughout the whole saga. 

“I therefore require a detailed explanation of the role played by the board during the entire process, outlining what information was provided to the board and at what stages of the process, and what approvals were sought from, and given by the Board,” asked Minister Nzimande.

The Minister requested the Board to furnish him with a detailed plan of how they will implement the recommendations of the report, given the very serious risk of instability that it poses to the system, and the inherent implications thereof. 

“I trust that this plan will have considered all options available, and motivated for the best option, with clear timelines, and resource requirements,” said Minister Nzimande.

“Without turning the board into an operational structure, I would like to implore you to work very closely with management, as they implement the organisational turnaround plan that you devised at your last board bosberaad a few weeks ago. 

“This is crucial in ensuring that we strengthen and capacitate the organisation moving forward and ensure that such lapses, as the very serious ones we have seen in the recent past, do not occur again. 

“This must inevitably include close monitoring of the very important service delivery aspects, which include the timeous payment of student allowances, as well as the continued accreditation of student accommodation,” emphasised the Minister.

The Minister also directed the Board to conduct a full investigation into the allegations made by the former NSFAS CEO about the process of issuing off-take agreements. The Board is expected to provide the report to the Minister within the next three weeks.

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EDWIN NAIDU

Acclaimed maths and science place of learning, Mbilwi Secondary School from Venda, Limpopo, won the Solve for Tomorrow school competition at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Johannesburg with an idea that speaks to genuine need in their community.   

The victorious spark from learners is an ambitious plan to fix potholes in their town’s roads using recyclable and sustainable materials – addressing both a societal need and fulfilling their green credentials towards a better planet.

The school, which has had a 100% pass rate for its matric students since 1994, has urged learners to continue to lead the way with distinction.

Teacher Tshifhiwa Tshidzumba said winning the competition will help keep the school’s name on the map.

“We are one of the top schools in the region and have made a habit out of winning, and we are happy to keep it that way. Winning such contests reinforces our status as a great school with a highly competitive edge. We are proud of our learners and their achievements because we don’t enter competitions to add the numbers; we enter to win. When we compete, regardless of the contest or the opponents, we always want to be number one,” said Tshidzumba,

The contest for Grade 10 and 11 learners from underserved communities was announced on 4 October. Learners were encouraged to solve some of the challenges within their communities using Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Former pupils from Mbilwi Secondary School include the Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and top academic Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University. The school received a prize of R100,000.

Maphuthaditshaba Secondary from Acornhoek in Mpumalanga came second and won R50,000, and third-placed Umlazi Comprehensive Tech from KwaZulu-Natal won R30,000.

The money will be used for STEM equipment for each school, according to their unique needs. Samsung sweetened the deal by rewarding each learner in the top three teams with a Samsung device.

The schools had to identify problems in their communities that they could solve using STEM. With Samsung helping them with resources and mentors guiding them, they had to conduct research and develop prototypes for their identified challenges.

The winning prototype from Mbilwi is an ambitious plan to fix potholes in their town’s roads using recyclable and sustainable materials, including discarded plastic bottles they collected.

“This project has been a huge part of our lives in the past year, so winning it means a lot to us,” said Igoline Coelho, a Grade 11 learner and member of the team. “We have worked hard as a team as we met every day to put in the work needed to get us over the line and victoriously, so winning is awesome. This win will also encourage other learners in our school to participate in such competitions. We are happy that the competition allowed us to do something good for the environment. Hopefully, it will spark even more interest in others to work on making the environment better for all,” Coelho said.

Leading technology giant Samsung South Africa ran the competition with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Pinky Kekana, said in line with efforts to improve the education system, the Department of Basic Education highlighted the importance of increasing the number of schools that focus on critical learning areas such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts.

“The skills acquired by the educators and the learners will benefit them beyond this competition,” Kekana said. “We look forward to seeing the inclusion of more schools from underserved communities in South Africa. We are optimistic that some of the solutions from this competition will eventually be implemented, thus putting South Africa on the map, with accompanying job opportunities for the youth.”

Solve for Tomorrow is Samsung’s ambitious effort to increase interest and proficiency in STEM and help the country contribute to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The competition encourages innovative thinking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork among the learners as they grow and learn important skills that could benefit them greatly in their future careers.

Hlubi Shivanda, Samsung’s Director for Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs, said Solve for Tomorrow strives to help equip the youth with various technological, artisanal, and electronic skills. “We are proud to see this group of young people applying their minds to learn and help solve some of their communities’ problems and hope such programmes spark the revolution for positive and sustainable change within communities,” she said.

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