The Western Cape has launched the #BackOnTrack campaign, a massive R1.2 billion educational program aimed at addressing the significant decline in learning outcomes due to the Covid19 pandemic. The campaign aims to improve learning outcomes in the region over the next three years and secure a brighter future for children.
On May 13th, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mme Hendrietta BogopaneZulu, in collaboration with USAID, will launch ChommY. This pioneering program aims to empower children aged between 10 and 14 years from Ekurhuleni hostels. The initiative will be launched at the Vosloorus Civic Centre under the theme “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today.”
In recent years, South African schools have been plagued by a worrying trend of teachers engaging in assault and corporal punishment. The Eastern Cape province, in particular, has seen six teachers from different schools facing investigations for such offenses. Last year, three teachers were dismissed for similar misconduct, and another resigned earlier this year. The issue came to light again after an incident at Huku Senior Secondary School in Mandileni village, where three grade 12 students accused their principal of beating them.
Recent tragic incidents involving overloaded minibus taxis have highlighted the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of scholar transport providers in Cape Town. The deaths of two pupils due to accidents involving these taxis call for immediate action to ensure the safety of learners on their way to school.
National Teach a Child to Save Day, which takes place annually on April 27th, aims to educate children about the importance of saving money from a young age. In South Africa, where the savings rate is only 16.3%, one of the lowest globally, teaching children to save is critical to secure their financial future and improving the country’s economic performance.
World Book Day is approaching quickly, and city libraries are gearing up to celebrate. This year’s theme is “your” World Book Day, and libraries throughout the city have arranged a variety of events to promote the love of books and reading. Scheduled activities will take place before and after April 23rd. Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, believes that libraries should take every opportunity to encourage a passion for reading.
The Western Cape government has recently pledged R68 million to improve facilities and resources for students with autism in existing schools. This funding will be used to build two new special needs schools and 28 classrooms in existing schools that will cater specifically to students with autism. In addition to this, the Western Cape Education Department has earmarked an additional R214 million to support these students until 2026, in addition to existing special education funding. The move has been widely welcomed by the autism community, as rising incidences of autism in recent years have created a backlog that needs to be addressed urgently.
South Africa’s criminal justice system is failing victims of sexual offenses, and this problem is even more pronounced in schools. Sexual bullying in schools is a pressing issue that demands proactive measures to ensure that all learners are safe and free to learn. AfriForum has taken up the challenge, launching an antibully campaign aimed at providing resources and support for schools, educators, parents, and students.
