Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Barbara Dale Jones

Creator

Barbara Dale Jones

Guest Author

OR Tambo Debates: Where is the accountability in education?

Accountability is a vague concept when it comes to SA’s education system and panelists at a Wits debate had their differences on how to improve it.

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

It takes a village to stop bullying

Teachers are uniquely placed to help both victim and tormentor but they, too, require support.

What a day some difference makes

Let cultures clash and identities collide, for diversity benefits pupils and teachers alike.

Digital learning needs a light touch

Tech won’t turn a bad teacher into a good one, but it can help create meaningful learning experiences.

Good example: The Maoris’ approach enables young offenders to reintegrate into their communities.

Sparing the rod, rebuilding the child

New approaches to school discipline are focusing on empathy over enmity.

A crippled education system brings the whole vision to its knees

Social tech keeps teachers classy

Good mentoring and networking forums can be used to help newly qualified teachers to adjust, writes Barbara Dale-Jones.

The teachers
of the Eastern Cape have emerged as unsung heroes, pushing the boundaries to secure an impressive 81.4% pass rate in the 2023 matric results.

Wanted: Help for new teachers

Despite policy, too few schools have formal mentoring programmes for staff.

Supportive: Schools must recognise that ‘no one is disabled: all persons are abled differently’.

Teaching that embraces difference

Education law and classroom mindsets are still not accommodating "disabled" pupils properly.

Don’t be afraid of assessments at school

They are a source of useful information that can help to make teaching better.

Time to take care of the principals

And they must be given the tools they need to lead their pupils and staff effectively.

Sharing knowledge: Sibingile Magwaza, Dr Leila Kajee and Professor Rinelle Evans at the Teachers Upfront seminar on language teaching. (Supplied)

Turning multilingual classrooms into rich resources

The latest Teachers Upfront seminar offered ideas to teacher for how they can enhance teaching in a multilingual classroom.

Afghan journalists are seen after a second blast in Kabul

Puzzling over the teaching of teachers

Varsities are rethinking how to produce clued-up professionals ready for the classroom.

Tongue-tied on language policy

Smoothing the way from mother tongue to English is a huge challenge for education in SA.

Getting it right: Reading comprehension is a foundation on which all education builds.

Reading is the write way to go

But a mindset shift among teachers is needed to encourage reading across the curriculum.

Graphic solution: The University of Pretoria’s Kerstin Tönsing believes the use of pictures to aid reading ­benefits learning-impaired children in particular.

Images can bring words to vivid life

Classroom communication should supplement language with visuals and movement, experts say.

The audience at the recent Teachers Upfront seminar where speakers spoke about language in education and the role of teachers in language complexities.

Language policy lets pupils down

In South Africa, children are exposed to their language of instruction far too late and for too few hours a week, which cripples their learning

If resources are limited

The ABC of boosting literacy

Academics say the approach to language must change to give students the best chance of success.

Networks bring results for teachers

Networks bring results for teachers

Interacting with experts and one’s peers in the field is invaluable, according to educators.

Put teacher development first

Put teacher development first

System-wide improvement in basic education is inextricably linked to increased professionalism.

A delicate balance

A delicate balance

Is an over-emphasis on the rights of teachers damaging the rights of learners?