An early childhood education specialist at the North-West University (NWU) has welcomed the recently published, first-ever draft curriculum for teaching coding and robotics from Grades R to 3. However, she emphasises that some hard work lies ahead if the proposed curriculum is to succeed.

The Department of Basic Education published the draft curriculum last year, and Dr Retha van Niekerk, senior lecturer in the Early Childhood Development subject group in the School of Psycho-social Education, says several prerequisites must be met for its successful implementation.

She danced, sang and prayed. For a few moments, the entire Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) and all the joy in the world belonged to Ntombizanele Beauty Tshona. Because, on a Thursday morning, with the winter sun smiling playfully through the rows of wattle trees, the 38-year-old Toto Tshona received his doctoral degree in Mathematics Education from the Faculty of Education. 

Ontiretse Motingwa

North-West University (NWU) Prof Ferdinand Potgieter, a professor and sub-area leader for discipline in the research unit Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight), recently received notice of his C2-rating as an established researcher from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

An inaugural lecture is considered an important rite of passage in the life and career of an academic.

Professor Marietjie Havenga delivered her inaugural lecture, titled Cooperative problem-based learning in Information Technology: Active learning for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In this lecture, Prof Havenga argued that the implementation of cooperative problem-based learning as a teaching and learning strategy can contribute to students’ active and responsible learning skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

A well-known former dean of the Faculty of Education and vice-rector at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, Prof Dewey de Wet, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 2 July in his house in Potchefstroom.

Prof de Wet studied at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), now the NWU, where he obtained his BSc degree in mathematics and science, UOD, BEd, MEd and DEd degrees, as well as a BScHons degree from UNISA. 

With every stair Tebogo climbs to the stage, with every step he takes across the stage, the heart of his mom, Jane Fransman, beats faster. Thump-thump, thump-thump. Proud beats. When he stops and receives his teaching degree there, in the auditorium of the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), she wants to jump out of her skin. Tears course down her cheeks. “I was very happy. I never thought I would see the day that he would stand on the stage and receive his degree.” Because life has tried to throw her from course more than once.

by Angeline Marokoane

Language traverses borders. It connects us, inspires us, educates us and enriches us. It is the fundamental tool that allows us to connect with each other. And, in a diverse, multilingual society, the more we appreciate each other’s native language, the fewer boundaries there will be between us.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), approximate 70% of the South African population rely directly on agriculture as a means of living.

Kirsty Kyle, a master’s student at the North-West University (NWU), has recently published an educational children’s book and, after receiving sponsorship for the printing, donated the books to under-privileged schools.