Education Matters in South Africa

Host: Mary Metcalfe (National Planning Commissioner in the Presidency)

Guests: Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Stephen Taylor, and Carol Nuga Deliwe (all DBE)

The Department of Basic Education with its partners has been conducting research to better understand and improve reading outcomes in South Africa. This 10-year study is called the Early Grade Reading Study (EGRS). The Department recently published its second report on early grade reading available on the episode notes available here: 

https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Reports/EGRS/EGRS%20Indaba%202022/EGRS%20Technical%20Report_.pdf 

Youtube, EGRS Indaba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6zGJ60Ijuw 

Our host and guests unpack how much it really costs to build a reading nation and how government can make use of research to make informed decisions to influence policy. 

This episode is proudly brought to you by the Department of Basic Education in South Africa.    

Guests: Likho Bottoman and Hanne Huysmans

Introductory audio from VVOB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gspYn9fUrY&t=10s 

Gender stereotypes and experiences have an influence on educational outcomes. Gender conformity is affirmed when it is aligned to prominent gender experiences, whilst those who identify differently are made to feel like outcasts. There is a need for more inclusion and affirmation of different gender identities and experiences. 

Likho Bottoman's journal article: https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/ejc-jeds_v2021_nsi1_a9

Recommended book: https://www.takealot.com/the-pink-line/PLID32874721?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhqaVBhCxARIsAHK1tiPPqzQbDPqFGZcT4b-0B1RccLJ5KiHpFHgyr8qDf1gTNFNbNAplyHoaAr1MEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Guests: Rahima Essop and Thobeka Msengana 

Conversation is inspired by Malaika Mahlatsi’s book, Corridors of Death. The book consists of essays that explore the lived experiences of black students in higher education institutions. It sheds light on the depression and suicide experienced by students. The book advocates for urgent structural and institutional interventions to address mental health challenges.

Audio from the #ZeroDropOutCampaign or visit their website https://zerodropout.co.za/

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Instagram handle: edu_mattersza

Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/educationmattersZA

Guests: Dr Sindiwe Magona, Rahima Essop and Yandiswa Xhakaza

Based on the backdrop of Dr Magona’s latest book, this episode reflects on the role communities play in ‘building’ schools and how community members become part of the school ecosystem. The Department of Basic Education through legislation is required to establish School Governing Bodies (SGBs). In essence, the SGB is a statutory body of parents, educators, non-teaching staff and learners (from Grade 8 or higher) who seek to work together to promote the well-being and effectiveness of the school community and thereby enhance learning and teaching. However, the ZeroDropOut campaign through its Yethu Network is strengthening relationships with communities. 

Audio from the #ZeroDropOut campaign. https://zerodropout.co.za/

Follow us on Instagram @edu_mattersza and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/educationmattersZA/

Email us on edumatters20@gmail.com

Guests: Yandiswa Xhakaza and Unathi Magubeni 

Conversation is inspired by Unathi Magubeni an author whose bestselling debut novel, Nwelezelanga, The Star Child (BlackBird Books) was published in 2016 and was long listed for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature and the 2017 Sunday Times Fiction Prize. The reading challenge in South Africa has been met with many initiatives, many are driven through CSI initiatives, however this episode puts a spotlight on community members doing it for themselves.

Unathi Magubeni @ 01:13 and Yandiswa Xhakaza @ 07:58

Commercial audio from the #ZeroDropOut Campaign (https://zerodropout.co.za/)

Novulakuvaliwe Library audio produced by Isiphili Network Production

To support Unathi Magubeni and his team to build a library and learning centre, https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/community-library 

#YandiswaXhakaza

#UnathiMagubeni

Season 2 Trailer 

Guest: Ms Marie-Louise Samuels 

Guest: Melody Marescia 

A quality teacher can provide a learning environment in which a child can develop optimally and in a holistic manner. There have been various opportunities made available through which ECD training programmes have been introduced. ECD qualifications have been offered primarily in TVET Colleges and non-profit organisations, with the support of ETDP-SETA

Guest: Grace Matlhape 

The high unemployment rate in South Africa is a reflection of idle assets - young people with ambition and potential. There are barriers that limit access to even training young people (#feesmustfall), however SmartStart is a social enterprise that recognises this challenge as an opportunity to address the needs in the early learning.  SmartStart enjoys partnerships that unlock opportunities for children and parents who work in the sector. In addition, Grace and Rebecca Hickman wrote an article about gender disparities affecting women - in a country where 38%-45% of households are headed by women. The gender disparities affect women even at an entry level, meaning women are often excluded from entering the labour market due to challenges in accessing childcare. 

Article can be accessed here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-27-equality-for-women-in-the-labour-market-relies-on-access-to-childcare/ 

Guest: Professor Eric Atmore 

Produced by : Tshidi Lengoasa

Children raised in deprived or improvised conditions were services are limited experience compromised opportunities towards a good standard of adult life. Through early childhood development interventions, laying the foundation for all future health, behaviour, and learning is ignited. Early Child Development (ECD) works in dual system where the provision of ECD takes different forms depending on the geographical area and earnings. There is a formal system and an informal system. Both systems are necessary, however the other enjoys more benefits than the other. In the townships, mothers dropped off their children with a caretaker, normally a mature older women and grannies. In rural communities, children participated in domestic activities. In urban areas, formal learning was happening at day care centres.

Guest: Zonele Mdiya 

This a language series reflection episode. We chat about the previous episodes and we talk books. 

Guest: Senzo Hlophe 

Researchers worldwide agree that children need six to eight years of learning a second language before they can use it effectively as a medium of instruction. Senzo's experience is no different to the experience of many learners in the schooling system.  Classroom was an English and isiZulu experience. When the struggle of understanding come to the fore, teachers, in a communal effort showed up ensuring that learning is a success. 

Guest: Siwaphiwe Sibeko 

People have migrated and so do languages. Through migration, languages have owned their different dialects, American English and British English are simple global examples of this differentiation. South Africa is no different, from tradition dialects that have been grouped according Nguni and Sotho, leaving those other beautiful languages that do not fit in the box, such as TshiVenda. What about Sepitori which represents a Sekgatla dialect of Setswana spoken in Hammanskraal (a region north of Pretoria), with additions mainly from Northern Sotho (also known as Sepedi), Afrikaans and English. What about the identity of Afrikaans spoken in the Cape Flats? Remember the confusion during Former President Nelson Mandela’s funeral, where grouping and dialects of the Xhosa people came into question as ambiguous identities, so AbaThembu are of Xhosa people or not. Languages have a classification character, a history and position in identity. Language often determines “the ways of living.”  To help us unpack the ways in which we live with our languages, #SiwaphiweSibeko joins us.

Also read https://mg.co.za/article/2018-07-13-00-we-are-not-meant-to-be-alone/

#Language series

Guest: Nompumelelo Mohohlwane
Understanding the power of languages is important, especially in a multilingual and unequal society such as South Africa. There are complex dimensions to be considered because language-in-education policy has a powerful influence on social and economic relations. There are practical considerations around how best to use language to achieve better educational outcomes, and consequently better economic outcomes, especially if guided by sound policies.

The development of Afrikaans and neglect of African languages provides historical lessons of how languages have implications on identity and power. This conversation considers why the language policy dilemma persists through the discussion of economic returns to language and if there is opportunity for African languages to yield better educational and economic returns.

Reference: https://resep.sun.ac.za/mother-tongue-instruction-or-straight-for-english-the-primary-education-policy-dilemma/ 

Nompumelelo tweets as @Mpumi_NLM. On other social media platforms she lives by her name. 

Trailer

Welcome note