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Mail & Guardian
Rory Carroll in Caracas

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Rory Carroll in Caracas

Misstep: Although matric pupils who did not get the results they wanted can write supplementary exams, there is concern that pupils will be lost to the system after the dates for the exams were changed from March to June. Photo: Madelene Cronjé

No matter what, a matric remains within reach

Even if you have failed, don’t lose hope. You can take steps to improve your situation

Recent international studies have shown that 78% of grade 4 children in South Africa are not able to read with understanding, even when they read in their own language. (Madelene Cronje/M&G)

How you can be part of the solution to our literacy crisis

It is not a problem government can solve alone — individuals can also contribute resources and their time

Moyane made headlines after he was fired as the commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Literacy and skills are the power for good

Lifelong learning should now be the goal of all, and it comes down to two essential ingredients

More than two-thirds of the world’s illiterate people are women. Working to change this can bring profound social and economic benefits. (Graphic: John McCann)

Literacy must start at infancy

Parents and early childhood educators are as vital as foundation phase teachers

Actors dressed as Red Army soldiers perform at a gala show to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, September 3 2015. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

China’s growing ascendancy on the world stage signals a realignment of power

As America under Donald Trump retreats from the international stage, China is taking its place

Polio cases could be wiped out within 12 months, says World Health Organisation

With just nine cases of the virus so far this year – in Pakistan and Afghanistan – the WHO is confident the battle against polio is nearly won.

Violated villagers in Sierra Leone fight mining giant

Sierra Leoneans are seeking requital in Britain for violence and loss of farmland to iron-ore company African Minerals.

Online Kenya ahead of the pack

ICT innovations in finance, retail and government changing lives, driving economy

Obama

Obama chases Exit with a Bear

The most dangerous activity a sitting United States president is usually allowed to do is drive a golf cart.

Three more women bring charges of sexual assault against Cosby

Three more women, including an actress who appeared on the Cosby Show, have come forward and accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault and harassment.

“It’s a lot like Madam & Eve

Madam is cross with Rihanna

The singer’s video vividly depicts the violence black women have had to endure.

Shamed: San Francisco Pride marchers protest against Facebook’s policy on using ‘anonymous’ names.

Furious Faeries flay Facebook

The social network’s policy on anonymity is angering people who have taken new names.

As the world confronts the pandemic, countries in Africa that have managed deadly zoonotic disease outbreaks have much to offer

Sierra Leone probes alleged misuse of Ebola funds

The anticorruption commission is investigating why a third of taxpayers’ money allocated to fighting Ebola was not accounted for.

The virus takes its name from the Ebola River, near the site of one of the first recorded outbreaks in what is now the DRC, in 1976.

Response lags behind rapid shifts in Ebola, says MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières has criticised the international community’s response to Ebola in West Africa, saying it risks becoming a ‘double failure’.

Fresh outbreak of Ebola in Sierra Leone a major setback

Fears are rising that a new, uncontrolled infection chain could send the death toll soaring.

‘Almost zero’ response to Ebola from Western leaders

Médecins Sans Frontières chief claims the response to the catastrophe is "almost zero", with nations most concerned with self-protection.

Curriculum misses the mark

That’s the message to the basic education department from experts in early childhood development.

Lee Harvey Oswald: More questions than answers. (AP)

JFK: A conspiracy of echoes

Theories about the death of John F Kennedy are in overdrive as the 50th ?anniversary of his death approaches — even John Kerry is weighing in.

The US National Security Agency has been accused of spying on millions of people all over the world.

Giving the snoops the runaround

A small internet service provider that fiercely safeguards users’ data is a model of transparency.

Schooling alone won’t fix illiteracy

A recent report ignores preschool and home environments that are crucial to language skills.