On 23 February 2021, Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa signed off on the renaming of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha.Learn how to pronounce the new name in the video below: “Qey Beh GAH – The Q click is important – hold your tongue on the roof of your mouth and force it down. The First G is silent.” Visit https://mygqeberha.com to learn more about Gqeberha. In 2019, the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee recommended that Port Elizabeth be renamed Gqeberha, which is the Xhosa name … [Read more...] about Gqeberha – New Name, Origins & Pronunciation for the Former Port Elizabeth
Education
Engen salutes nursing hero who continues to reach for the sky
Zandile Mawela Despite having her dreams put on pause by COVID-19, registered nurse Zandile Mawela remains determined to obtain her Master’s degree and work overseas. Over the past few months, Zandile has been one of the many heroic healthcare workers who has played a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic, working as a locum and saving lives in various hospitals across the Western Cape. “After working as a nurse for three years in the Eastern Cape, I was extremely excited as I managed … [Read more...] about Engen salutes nursing hero who continues to reach for the sky
Matric top achievers commend teachers’ support during COVID-19
While the year 2020 was the most challenging for Grade 12 learners, who were compelled to study from home for almost five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school WhatsApp groups and support from teachers have contributed to the positive outcome of the matric results. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced the results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in Pretoria on Monday, which saw the national 2020 matric pass rate of 76.2% Della Cooper, aged 19, from … [Read more...] about Matric top achievers commend teachers’ support during COVID-19
Minister commends 2020 matric performance – EC Second Last
Despite a challenging academic year, the National Senior Certificate (NSC) overall pass rate for 2020 is 76.2%. Although the 76.2% is a decline of 5.1% from the record pass of 81.3% achieved by the class of 2019, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said the class of 2020 must be commended for maintaining the trend of above 70%. “The high quality passes we have achieved this year, especially the number of Bachelor and Diploma passes, the overall pass mark, and the passes with … [Read more...] about Minister commends 2020 matric performance – EC Second Last
Umalusi approves release of 2020 examination results
After a strenuous academic year, Umalusi, the Quality Council in General and Further Education and Training, has approved the release of the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results. Over the past three weeks, members of the Umalusi Assessment Standards Committee and Umalusi staff hade successfully conducted the quality assurance of the management and administration of exit point examinations. These includes the Independent Examinations Board (IEB); South African … [Read more...] about Umalusi approves release of 2020 examination results
Basic Education commits to paying assistants’ stipends
The Department of Basic Education says it is working with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to ensure that all qualifying education assistants and general school assistants - who were employed in December and have submitted all the required documents - are paid this month. In a statement, the department said some PEDs experienced challenges in processing the December stipends due, in part, to incomplete paperwork submitted (in some instances), which had to be returned to the affected … [Read more...] about Basic Education commits to paying assistants’ stipends
A First for South Africa….. Ever
National rewrite of leaked Maths and Physical Science For the first time in the country’s history, matriculants will sit for a national rewrite of two examination papers after they were leaked. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday where she provided an update on the progress of the 2020 matric examinations. “Having considered all of these factors, CEM [Council of Education Ministers] decided that a national rewrite of both … [Read more...] about A First for South Africa….. Ever
South Africa’s Most In Demand Jobs
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has launched the latest National List of Occupations in High Demand (OIHD) in South Africa. According to Nzimande, the list reflects the work undertaken by the department, through its Labour Market Intelligence research programme, to support human resource development in the country. “This list is updated every two years, and marks an important step towards helping us understand better the needs of the labour market, and … [Read more...] about South Africa’s Most In Demand Jobs
NSFAS to cover meals, personal expenses for students finishing in 2021
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will release additional funding from its coffers for qualifying university students who require additional months to complete their academic year. This comes after the NSFAS received no additional funds from government due to South Africa’s difficult fiscal situation. According to the Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, the department then asked NSFAS to identify funds to support the extended academic … [Read more...] about NSFAS to cover meals, personal expenses for students finishing in 2021
Unique local phone app supports maths and science learners across SA
As COVID-19 forced distance learning on schools across the country, a maths and science learning-support app developed by Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre has been providing critical support for learners in every province. The free and downloadable phone app – called MobiTutorZA – provides CAPS curriculum-linked content for Grade 8 to 12 learners, in the form of self-tests, practice exam papers, and content explanations in eight different languages. It … [Read more...] about Unique local phone app supports maths and science learners across SA
Schools to reopen on 8 June
Schools will reopen on 8 June 2020 for grade 7 and 12 learners to allow for the orientation and training of teachers. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) took a decision to continue to reopen schools on 01 June 2020, but with School Management Teams (SMT), teachers and non-teaching staff only arriving to prepare for the arrival of learners. “Provincial and district officials should ensure that health, safety, and social distancing requirements, are strictly adhered to when teachers … [Read more...] about Schools to reopen on 8 June
Schools remain locked for more than 127 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa
Innovative approaches taken for continued learning, but safe re-opening of schools remains key More than 127 million pre-primary, primary, and secondary school students in Eastern and Southern Africa - who are supposed to return to school this week - remain at home, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In response, UNICEF has announced advanced support to this unprecedented education crisis, while advocating for the safe re-opening of schools that adhere to safety guidance. In most parts of the … [Read more...] about Schools remain locked for more than 127 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa
Worried about Schools? Maybe Things Will be Clearer on Friday
Nzimande to announce COVID-19 implementation measures Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Dr Blade Nizmande, will on Friday, announce the department’s measures to be implemented in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Nzimande has been holding briefings and consultations with the stakeholders in post school education and training, as well as in the science and innovation sector. The consultations were held in order to brief stakeholders on measures that the department will be … [Read more...] about Worried about Schools? Maybe Things Will be Clearer on Friday
E-schools are the future, but are traditional South African schools ready for it.
https://youtu.be/MnFkk259Ro8 NMU Centre for Community Technologies develop for schools To evaluate and assess the e-readiness of all South African government schools, the Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University helped to develop an easy downloadable app, called the e-ready ICT maturity assessment tool. The app is an initiative of the department of science and innovation and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) with input from the department of basic education. It will … [Read more...] about E-schools are the future, but are traditional South African schools ready for it.
First recipient of the new Flip Potgieter Scholarship
As Nelson Mandela University opened for the new academic year on February 3, first-year student Lonwabo Jacobs, 17, took his first steps towards a dream career in the sciences. The Somerset East matriculant is the first recipient of the Flip Potgieter Scholarship, a legacy bursary honouring Potgieter, who was passionate about promoting the study of maths and science throughout his life. He died in 2018. The scholarship will provide R100 000 a year for the three years of Lonwabo’s Bachelor … [Read more...] about First recipient of the new Flip Potgieter Scholarship
