When as many as 464 public schools in South Africa have elected to stop offering pure mathematics, the question is no longer about underperformance in mathematics, it is about absence.

While most of these schools still teach mathematics literacy, pure mathematics underpins engineering, science and certain types of problem-solving. When that subject is missing from the school curriculum, the long-term impact on learners and the economy is cause for concern.

It was a bittersweet day for North-West University (NWU) graduate Lize Marais, who celebrated her academic achievement and marked the final public appearance of her beloved service dog, Holly.

Lize received her Bachelor of Education in Senior and FET Phase in English, on 16 April, with Holly—her steadfast companion since 2018—right by her side. The moment was deeply symbolic, as Holly prepares to retire after nearly a decade of loyal service.

Dr Dolly Dlavane, director of the Centre for African Language Teaching (CALT) at North-West University (NWU), has been inaugurated for a second term as a board member of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). The official engagement recently took place at the Constitutional Court.

"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.

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.

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.

Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Research Unit Self-Directed Learning has been invited by the Disability Cluster of the South African Youth Forum (SAYOF) to represent South Africa at RightsCon 2025, taking place in Taipei, Taiwan, from 23 to 29 February 2025.

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.

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.

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.