Johannesburg – Further Education and Training (FET) colleges must be radically overhauled so that they can become colleges of choice for school leavers while providing quality foundation programmes with particular focus on maths and science.

This is according to Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande, who said they would need to widen the scope and see the challenges facing the FET sector, as part of a multifaceted process to revamp and rejuvenate the entire post schooling and training system.

“We cannot deal with the colleges in isolation from the challenges in the rest of the education system,” Ndzimande said at the FET College Summit on Friday.

The summit brings together education expects with the view to improve the status and effectiveness of the FET which has been characterised by low pass rates, poor planning and financial mismanagement.

South Africa has about 50 of these state-funded colleges and government has for years struggled to revitalise the system, despite spending R1.5 billion on the colleges between 2006 and 2008, upgrading everything from teaching skills to workshops and laboratories.

Nzimande told the gathering that the overhaul of this FET system is non-negotiable and the summit will look at finding concrete solution to these problems.

The department intends to increase enrolment from 400 000 to one million by 2015. It will also finalise a national policy outlining the minimum entry requirements to university study requiring the national vocational certificate offered at colleges, said Ndzimande.

He explained that particular focus will be placed on improving governance and management capacity, as well as training of college lecturers and improving the skills of existing lecturers through universities and industry.

The minister, who will take over the sector education and training authorities (Setas), mentioned that he wants experienced workers without matric, or matriculants without exemptions, to study at universities.

He said there was a need to recognise prior learning for adults without formal university entrance qualifications to enter higher education institutions.

FET colleges must be accessible to both youth and adults, he said, adding that they are well positioned to contribute to the acute middle–levels skills crisis.

“Increased access to FETs would have the social benefit of including young people currently not in education, employment or training in opportunities to participate by studying in work-oriented programmes,” the minister said.

Data indicates that of the 2.8 million South Africans between the ages 18 and 24 (in 2007) not in employment, education or training, two million (about 71 percent) had not achieved Grade 12. Of these about 18 percent had not even progressed beyond primary level.

“The college community therefore, in my view, must expand its horizons and see the world…they must understand that our broad goal is to develop the economy in a way that responds to the needs of all South Africans.”

He said FETs would also need to provide training programmes that are needed in the real world in order to sustain livelihoods for many who are unemployed. – BuaNews

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Pretoria – A competition aimed at raising public awareness about Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) among high school pupils is to be held by the Department of Science and Technology.

The competition will target learners from Grade eight to Grade 11. By answering five easy questions, the learners can win a laptop, notebook, iPod, printer or SKA SA branded clothing and bags.

South Africa and Australia are the only two bidders in the running to host the largest radio telescope, which will be used to collect radio waves from space-like planets, stars and galaxies.

The SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies. If Africa wins the bid, the core of the telescope will be constructed near Carnarvon in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape, with outlying stations of about 30 to 40 antennae located in African partner countries. These antennae will be connected via a data communications network to a data-processing facility.

The combined collecting area of the SKA will add up to one square kilometer (One million square metres).

The department’s Chief Director of Radio Astronomy Advances, Dr Tshepo Seekoe said awareness of the project needed to be boosted among the youth because they are future beneficiaries of the astronomy and space programme.

"We are engaging the youth of South Africa to assist in bringing this project to Africa. By entering the competition in droves, learners will send a clear message to the decision makers that Africa's time has certainly come for large research infrastructure development too,” said Seekoe.

Apart from the advantage to South Africa's space development programme, the SKA will also benefit tourism with visitors streaming to see the spectacular core site.

South Africa is currently building a precursor instrument near the site proposed for the SKA. The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT), which will consist of approximately 64 dishes, will be among the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world in its own right, and will develop technologies needed for the SKA.

Competition entry forms can be downloaded from the SAASTA, the South African SKA Project Office (SASPO) and Department of Science and Technology websites (http://www.saasta.ac.za, http://www.ska.ac.za and http://www.dst.gov.za).

They will also be available at secondary schools and science centres across the country.

Entries marked "MeerKAT-SKA Schools Competition" may be posted to PO Box 1758, Pretoria, 0001, or delivered to SAASTA, Didacta Building, 211 Skinner Street, Pretoria. The competition closes on 31 October. - BuaNews

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Pretoria – At least 50 000 pamphlets with tips on writing exams are to be distributed to Grade 12 learners in the Free State to help them prepare for their finals.

This forms part of contingency plans by the provincial Department of Education to make up for lost time during the ongoing public service strike. Schools around the country have been adversely affected by the industrial action with the Grade 12s expecting to sit for their exams in less than 50 days.

Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe urged learners to be ready to do everything possible to ensure they are prepared for their exams.

“Under these conditions the best way to learn is to establish voluntary study groups where learners can help each other go through past papers and study notes,” Makgoe said, adding that the department would support the groups by distributing revision packs to learners from previously disadvantaged schools.

In addition, the department will set up matric study centres in all districts to encourage learners to engage in group discussions as well as peer teaching during and after the striking period.

The provincial department is also planning to establish a partnership with SABC Education for another catch-up programme that will focus mainly on languages.

Makgoe said the department’s objective was to have these lessons commencing from September until October at Lesedi’s Seikokotlelo programme. “We will also approach community radio stations to allow us to deploy our subject experts to provide lessons through their medium,” he said.

However, he pointed out that for the contingency plan to have a positive impact, the department needs the support from teachers, school governing bodies and community members to join hands in supporting learners.

He also invited volunteers to lend a helping hand to support learning and teaching during this period of disruption of schooling and beyond.

“Retired and student teachers, parents, community leaders, and NGOs involved in education are humbly requested to heed our clarion call to keep our children occupied and involved in meaningful education activities,” urged Makgoe.

Free State is among the provinces decided to postpone the preliminary exams due to current public service strike. The exams have been postponed until 6 September 2010. - BuaNews

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