© 2016 South Africa - The Good News
SECONDARY SCHOOLS in SA – WHAT SHOULD THEIR OFFERING BE?
There approximately 7000 Secondary Schools in SA, ranging from the very best to the very worst. As the Joint Education Trust tells us; 5% are ‘World Class’, 15% are functional as places of learning, and 80% are dysfunctional as places of learning.
This year my 13 year old daugher started at a school amongst the 5%, I am very fortunate.
But in the work I have done in 150 under-priviledged schools that are part of the 80% I have come across many that achieve outstanding results, comparable with those of the 5%.
How come?...[read more]
PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION BODY TO BOOST STUDENT OPTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY IN SA
South Africa’s leading private higher education institutions have committed to improving the quality and positioning of the sector in the country.
Launched with an official signing ceremony at Milpark Education in Johannesburg yesterday (Wednesday 25 January), SA Private Higher Education (SAPHE) aims to build public awareness of and trust in private higher education by addressing myths and misperceptions about the sector, to ultimately increase access to higher education. Additionally, the association will seek to ensure that there is a greater understanding by the general public of the quality study options available outside of public universities.
“Although the term ‘private universities’ has gained some popular traction in recent months, many are not aware that private higher education institutions legally may not describe themselves as such. Therefore, unlike the situation with private schools, many prospective students are not even aware of the high quality, accredited qualifications they are able to pursue at scores of respected institutions across the country,” says Dr Felicity Coughlan, chair of SAPHE...[read more]
Two guys, two motorbikes and a mission to promote fresh produce consumption – 6 out of 10 UK kids don’t know where their fruit comes from.
Dbn harbour visit on 20/01/16: L-R: Faisal Asmal (Citrus Growers Association), Phillip Jubileous (Fresh Produce Terminals), Max MacGillvray (Great Fruit Adventure), Justin Chadwick (Citrus Growers Association), Dean Ganeson (Fresh Produce Terminals)
Apples, grapes, oranges, pears, tomatoes and mange tout. Chances are that, as a South African, you’re quite familiar with the journey that these have meandered to make their way onto your plate.
Well, Max MacGillivray discovered – to his dismay – that 6 out of 10 UK children didn’t know where their fruit and vegetables come from. This was all the impetus he needed to initiate The Great Fruit Adventure, which started on 8 November 2016 when he and Gareth Jones set off from New Spitalfields Market in London, and reached southern Africa on 11 January 2017. Their mission: to create awareness (especially amongst kids) about the benefits of fresh produce consumption.
Fruit South Africa (FruitSA) has joined forces with The Great Fruit Adventure, which has taken the duo on a 3-month trip across Europe and currently Africa...[read more]
THIS WEEK'S FAST FACT
Fast Fact: The Cost of Education in SA
Old Mutual’s head of financial education, John Manyike, “The gift of education is the best thing you can offer your children as it will prepare them for life and will give them a good start. Furthermore, a well-educated youth is essential to the sustainability of South Africa’s economy”.
“Alarmingly, education inflation is higher than South Africa’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) and this gap has widened from around 2% in the early 2000s to a probable 4% in 2017. This means that a parent whose child starts grade R in 2017 can expect to pay between *R1 332 112 and R3 011 415 – for public or private education respectively. This rand amount includes primary school, high school and a three year University qualification in 2032”...[view table here]
