Education

Ditsobotla Public School learners inspired by NWU exposure

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." These words by Nelson Mandela encapsulate the spirit of a recent initiative by the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Student Campus Council (SCC).

This initiative provided primary school learners from Ditsobotla Public School in Lichtenburg, Boikhutso, with a transformative experience through an induction and university exposure programme.

Submitted on Tue, 04/01/2025 - 10:29

Transforming our world, one seed at a time

On Friday, 7 March, students and staff gathered at the Vanderbijlpark campus garden, near Kumba Residence to take part in an inspiring initiative led by Prof Magda Kloppers and the staff of the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SMSTE) at the Faculty of Education.

The gathering marked the launch of the "Adopt a 4-Door-Sized Spot" Garden Project, a movement aimed at fostering food security, sustainability, and community engagement on campus.

Submitted on Mon, 03/31/2025 - 09:35

Education Association of South Africa awards Prof Elsa Mentz their medal of honour

A mindset change in favour of self-directed learning could solve many of the problems in education and possibly in the workplace too, according to award-winning North-West University (NWU) expert Prof Elsa Mentz.

The Education Association of South Africa (EASA) awarded Prof Mentz the EASA Medal of Honour during its annual conference at Sun City in January.

Prof Mentz is the director of the NWU Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning– believed to be the only such unit in the international education research community.

Submitted on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 14:39

Study explores LEGO® Six Bricks® in teacher training

By: Gofaone Motsamai

The North-West University (NWU) has integrated LEGO® Six Bricks® into its Bachelor of Education programme to enhance teacher training. Research conducted by Tarien Breytenbach, Prof Elma Marais, Prof Carolina Botha and Florence Coertzen demonstrates how this tool bridges the gap between theory and practice in teacher education.

Submitted on Fri, 01/31/2025 - 08:44

Construction commences on Mahikeng teaching facilities

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus is increasing its teaching spaces by constructing new laboratories and lecture halls this year to address the growing needs of students and staff.

The construction of geography and life sciences laboratory spaces under the Faculty of Education began on 15 January. These facilities are located in the central parking area of the A4, A3, A9 and A10 buildings. New lecture halls are also being constructed behind the nursing building.

Submitted on Tue, 01/28/2025 - 10:48

NWU hosts 33rd SAARMSTE International Conference

The North-West University (NWU) hosted the 33rd annual conference of the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) on the Potchefstroom Campus from 13 to 16 January 2025.

This international conference, hosted in collaboration with the North West SAARMSTE chapter, was aimed at promoting research to improve and develop Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE) programmes in response to current and future needs.

Submitted on Fri, 01/24/2025 - 14:35

Forum explores challenges in short-learning programmes

Short-learning programmes bridge the gap between traditional education and the demands of the modern workforce, fostering an environment of adaptability, innovation and lifelong learning.

The director of the Unit for Continuing Education (CED) at the North-West University (NWU), Yolanda Kirsten, took part in a conference tailored to discuss short-learning programme challenges in public higher-education institutions (HEIs).

Due to the intense competition among HEIs, short-learning course management practices are thoroughly monitored to increase benchmarking opportunities.

Submitted on Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:15

Education expert weighs in on North West Department’s mother-tongue education pilot

Mother-tongue education for North West Province school learners is set to be expanded through a pilot project in January 2025. The expert view of Dr Judicial Sebatana of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education is that the provincial government’s plans are a critical step forward for mother-tongue learning. However, some foundational issues will need to be addressed for the initiative to succeed.

Submitted on Fri, 11/15/2024 - 14:06

North-West University expertise addresses catastrophic teacher shortfall

Thirty-one thousand. That is the conservative estimate of the current teacher shortage in South Africa. Classrooms are overcrowded, with ballooning learner-to-teacher ratios, especially in rural and under-resourced schools. This severely impacts dropout rates and education quality.

This is not where the woes of future learners end. It is estimated that nearly half the teaching workforce will retire within the next decade, meaning the demand for new teachers will only keep increasing.

Submitted on Thu, 11/14/2024 - 09:27