http://www.hsf.org.za daily 1 2009-12-08T11:13:15Z http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/editorial In keeping with the Foundation’s stated policy of seeking to offer a platform for both seasoned commentators and new and marginalised voices, we present this edition of Focus on Learning and Teaching. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T10:57:35Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/galvanising-education-commissioning-editor2019s-overview “Parents and communities will have little say in the education of their children and teachers will have little scope to exercise individuality or originality or experiment” Helen Suzman said in 1966, opposing the Education Bill. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:04:57Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/schooling-in-and-for-the-new-south-africa We write about schooling in South Africa at a time when most knowledgeable educationalists and practitioners are agreed that the educational system is in a state of chronic crisis. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:09:57Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/the-debate-about-re-opening-teacher-education-colleges During 1999, the call for re-opening teacher education colleges was made repeatedly as campaigning for the election gained momentum. It was reiterated and debated at the National Teacher Education Summit held at the end of June 2009. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:16:35Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/the-promise-and-challenge-of-university-based-teacher-education In the last few months the media has focused sharply on failing learners, dysfunctional schools and the downfall of Outcomes Based Education. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:29:33Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/how-are-our-teachers-what-teachers-and-others-can-do-to-improve-the-current-situation In the wake of Graeme Bloch’s (2009) gloomy analysis of the state of education in South Africa, The Toxic Mix, it would be difficult for anyone to deny that there is a crisis in education in our country. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:33:34Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/the-language-challenge-in-the-classroom-a-serious-shift-in-thinking-and-action-is-needed Most learners in South African schools face a language barrier in the classroom. Any child who cannot use the language which he/she is most familiar with (usually the home language), is disadvantaged and unlikely to perform to the best of his/her ability. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:45:14Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/mother-tongue-instruction Learners are often referred for psycho-educational assessments as a reactive measure because their scholastic progress is poor. They seem to be experiencing language barriers in spite of being instructed in their mother tongue; and worse, their academic self-esteem is at its lowest because of their awareness that they are struggling to cope. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T11:49:48Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/befriending-education-education-partnerships-initial-reading-instruction-and-research-at-the-uj-institute-of-childhood-education There is an exciting new vibrancy in varieties of partnerships with public education. In other articles in this issue of Focus some of these will be mentioned. In this article I will discuss aspects of an intervention in which practitioners and specialists across sectors come together in an integrated hub of learning, research, service and development. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:03:57Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/private-education-for-the-poor-more-different-and-better The private sector is an increasingly important player in providing education services and making high quality education accessible for communities and marginalised groups in developing countries. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:09:09Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/public-school-governance-in-south-africa Given the painful, complex and controversial history of schooling in South Africa, it was unlikely that any model chosen for the management and control of our public schools would satisfy all role-players. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:13:10Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/the-role-of-community-in-education-a-practitioner2019s-reflection A professional community organiser works with leaders within communities to promote social and economic changes. In this regard the organiser plays diverse roles that are intended to build the capacity of people to gain collective awareness and confidence to confront public issues that impact on their lives. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:16:08Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/bullying-the-monster-in-the-dark South Africa, obsessed with violence, has become consumed with false hope. We think we can make violence go away with policies and procedures but we are failing as the problem still persists. Our obsession is understandable, given the soaring crime rate and the increasing number of violent activities dominating the news headlines. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:19:13Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/creating-networks-of-productivity-and-the-third-innovation-space-in-education My contribution has been influenced by previous research on complexities of organisations1 where I examined change management within an educational setting. That research showed unequivocally that the transformation of education in South Africa was a complex exercise. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:23:20Z File http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-56-chapters/education-delivery-in-the-poorest-nodes South Africa enjoys a rare distinction of having gone through all the convulsions and outpouring of anger associated with regime change – without actually changing the ruling regime at all. No publisher Alex 2010-02-23T12:43:31Z File