by the Optentia research unit
A book was recently published under the editorial leadership of researchers from Optentia Research Unit on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. The team lead by Profs. Vera Roos and Jaco Hoffman from the sub-programme Ageing and Generational Dynamics in Africa (AGenDA), included researchers and students from all the North-West University’s campuses.
It is clear that something needs to be done about discipline in schools, but reintroducing corporal punishment, even on a limited scale, is probably not the answer.
This is one of the findings of a study by Dr Noorullah Shaikhnag, senior lecturer and deputy director at the School of Psycho-Social Education of the North-West University (NWU).
The study revealed strong differences among learners, teachers, parents and school governing bodies on the topic of corporal punishment.
When South Africa was declared a democratic state in 1994, Prof Shan Simmonds was only 11 years old. Although she could recognise things changing around her, she could not understand the deeper discourses that infused these changes.
In her experience, a handful of black learners entered what had, up until that point, been a whites-only farm community school. The so-called handful soon grew in numbers and, contrary to what one might imagine, especially considering that the teaching staff remained unchanged, Prof Simmonds experienced no sense of racial divide or discrimination.
North-West University (NWU) alumnus Keorapetse Mashimo has been selected as one of the 100 South African Shining Stars by Inside Education for his contribution to sport in his community.
This was announced during a function hosted by Inside Education and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on 20 October in Johannesburg.
This annual event recognises young individuals – nominated by their peers and organisations – for giving their time and talent to make their communities, and also country, a better place to life.
Khululwa Nosipho Shibane, North-West University (NWU) alumnus and an educator at Christinah School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, came second in the category Excellence in Special Needs Teaching in the North West provincial segment of the National Teaching Awards that took place on 7 October 2022.
This was not her first accolade. Khululwa also represented the Christiana School in 2020 in the same category at that year’s National Teaching Awards.
By Ontiretse Motingwa
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually on 5 October in recognition of and to show appreciation for the critical role teachers play in contributing to education and development across the globe.
This year’s theme is “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.
“This year’s theme reminds me of the Bible verse 1 Timothy 5:8 – in short – charity begins at home,” says Ellen Nkwe, North-West University (NWU) Setswana lecturer.
By Phenyo Mokgothu and Ontiretse Motingwa
Prof Muchativugwa Liberty Hove presented his inaugural lecture on the evening of 30 September 2022 to a hall filled with luminaries, friends and family.
He started the lecture with what he considers a timeless poem, A Dream Deferred (also known as Harlem), penned by African American poet, Langston Hughes.
By Ontiretse Motingwa
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Educational Psychology subject group, together with the North West Department of Education, recently reached out to Retlametswe Special School in Mahikeng to empower teachers to better support their learners.
This project forms part of the national Department of Education’s 6BRICKS® initiative, which is implemented through a collaboration with Care for Education and the NWU’s Educational Psychology subject group.
By Ontiretse Motingwa
Young learners from Stadt Primary will soon be singing and dancing to the music coming from boombox speakers the North-West University (NWU) has donated.
The NWU always strives to improve the teaching and learning environment for learners. In line with this commitment, staff members from the NWU’s Faculty of Education on the Mahikeng Campus recently donated items to the Stadt Primary School to create a better learning environment.