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Minister Dr. Nzimande in Pretoria where he launched the Green Paper
for post-school education and training.
The launching of the Green Paper for post-school and training at the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria.
In his quest to better the higher education system minister Nzimande recently with the media present launched the green paper for post-school education and training.
“This Green Paper aims to conceptualise the nature of the Department and to set out its priorities. Its purpose is to present emerging thinking in the DHET and invite stakeholders and the general public to contribute their views in order to assist us to strengthen our vision. The comments received will be considered when a White Paper on the post school system is drafted later this year, for approval and adoption by Cabinet as official government policy.
In his explanation to some of the major issues affecting the education system the Minister explored on the important role the South African society should take in contributing their ideas in a forge to make the education system a better one not only for today’s generation, but also future generation.
With the Green Paper’s focus being the youth who are currently the main victims of unemployment, an emphasis and implementation of what would emanate outof what would ultimately be policies would indeed see an overturn in our education system that would further open up a platform where the youth would be able to make a difference and better their lives.
One of the central themes running through the entire Green Paper is the need to build coherence with the post-school system as a whole, between basic education and the post-school system, and between the post-school system and the labour market.
The latter with much emphasis disregard these industries working in silos; it proposes an environment where communication integration bears positive change.
NB:Comments and suggestions are welcome and can be forwarded to the Department by the 30th April 2012.
By: William Somo
The Director General Mr. GwebsQonde and Minister Nzimande at the media briefing held in Pretoria on the forensic report on the affairs of the University of Zululand.
The much awaited forensic report on the affairs of the University of Zululand released by the Minister.
It caused a major uproar in 2011 when reported about the bad state that seemed to have taken root in the affairs of the University of Zululand. This prompted the Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande to commission an investigation seeking to remedy these affairs at the university.
At the media briefing on the forensic report on the affairs of the university which took place at the Government Communication Information Systems recently, the Minister said that he had received the forensic audit report and was also informed that following the finding of the forensic report audit team, the University was taking appropriate disciplinary actions against 15 members of staff and students and that more might follow.
He said the audit team reported serious and repeated transgressions of University policy and procedures, and of particular concern was the fact that there were clear indications of collusion between students and staff in unacceptable practices that undermined the educational mission of the University with devastating consequences for the academic stature and credibility of the institution.
In outlining all the findings to the media the Minister did not waste time in lamenting those sabotaging the effort of those striving for the betterment of the education system. He also called upon institutions to take decisive action against any member of staff guilty of malpractices that endanger the mission of the university.
Professor Chris de Beer was appointed as the administrator for the University of Zululand on 18 April 2011, and with his Vice-Chancellor they were applauded by the Minister for guiding and leading the university back into a fully functional system.
As access to quality education for learners is central to transformational objectives it is also important that all hindrances in the education system be the main focus in preparation for implementing these objectives.
By: William Somo
Deputy Minister launch Education Indaba at Ulundi
Siyabonga Nxumalo
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize in partnership with KwaZulu Natal Department of Education and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) hosted an Education Indaba at the Old KwaZulu Natal legislature in Ulundi on the 18th of February 2012.
Deputy Minister Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize during the media briefing with Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Under the theme: “Community outreach on career options and post school opportunities for youth”. The Indaba aimed at supporting learners from the rural areas of Mahlabathini and Kwa-Nongoma in accessing information about post school education and training opportunities.
Learners received important information and guidelines on how to access funding through National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), they were also assisted on how to make right career choices and how to gain access to Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and Universities.
Deputy Minister Mkhize encouraged pupils from poor households to use education to turn the tide against poverty. “Poverty takes away our God-given dignity, however education is the only tool we can use to fight this and restore our dignity” Mkhize said.
Some of the learners from areas surrounding Ulundi who attended the function
Pupils should spend more time reading and show respect to others to make it in life. She also urged learners to read with an understanding if they want to succeed, reminding them that education was a priority in the country, “it is for that reason President Zuma emphasised the importance of education in his state of the nation address recently” she said.
IFP leader and Chief of Ulundi Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi who joined the Indaba encouraged learners to use the opportunities they have, he admitted that there is a lot that needs to be done in the education system but said that the conditions are now much better than during his school days.
The deputy minister stressed the importance of such event because many high school learners still believe that if they cannot get into any university that is the end of the road. She also reminded matriculants to apply early for placement at tertiary institutions to avoid stampedes similar to the one that happened at the University of Johannesburg.
Ministerial Road Show in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
By Tsepo Seale
Hitting the ground running this year, the Department of Higher Education and Training hosted its Ministerial Road show in Mpumalanga to meet with its stakeholders in the post school education and training. The minister’s personal advisor, Mr. John Pampallis spoke on behalf of the minister, explaining how a Task Team was set up last year to investigate the feasibility of establishing fully fledged universities in both the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces.
He went on to emphasise that the aim of the department is to conceptualise and bring together all its components i.e. (FET Colleges both public and private, Universities and private higher institution, ABET both public and private, SETAs and other advisory and regulatory institutions such as NSA, the Council for Higher Education, Umalusi and the QCTO) into a single system in which the parts complement the whole, work to strengthen one another; and articulate seamlessly with one another.
Left, Minister’s advisor John Pampallis and the Director-General of DHET, Gwebs Qonde at the ministerial road show in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
The focus was also on building FET colleges to make them kingpin strategies of the department in producing mid-level skills which are in high demand.
As part of making learning effective, the department has also integrated learning of all forms of training which combine classroom learning with practical experience.
Partnership between FET colleges with private companies was encouraged to enable students to acquire practical experience in the workplace so that they can complete their qualifications.
Leading by example
They say leaders are made and not born. Any organization needs leadership and often leadership means management. This is a group of people who hold top positions within an organization and are there to lead and guide fellow employees, offering support and ensuring that organizational goals are met.
Effective management does not only happen by giving out orders and expecting the rest of the team to adhere. A good leader and follower relationship should be reciprocal. One of the greatest attributes a leader can have a listening skill; after all one does not run an organization by themselves. It is thus important to listen to other imputs.
Being a good leader means:
- Understanding organizational goals, knowing exactly what the organization seeks to achieve.
- Communication with staff, keeping staff informed about how the organisation is doing and how they can contribute towards making it better.
- Looking out for the oganisations’ best interests, this does not only refer to “the bottom line” the wellbeing of your staff is also in the best interest of the organization.
- Making good decisions, good decisions are informed decisions that are made on time.
- Motivating staff, encouraging staff to perform at their best is crucial to the organization’s success.
- Showing trustworthiness, if your staff can trust you and know that you know that what you are doing, they will have no problem being led by you.
Kelopile Tlhodi
A Work day in the life of....
Elizabeth Maseko, Chief Admin Clerk in the DHET Call Center by Kelopile Tlhodi
The call center has proven to be an effective communication tool for the Department of Higher Education and Training and to the public. It serves as a free flowing information pool spreading knowledge about some of the processes surrounding the verification of private and public FET Colleges and Higher Education Institutions. Informing the public about learnerships and apprenticeships, bursaries and financial assistance, and evaluation of qualifications to name a few.
For a sneak peak in to her day I had a sit down with Elizabeth who wasn’t shy to tell all
What does your job entail?
As part of my daily routine Elizabeth responds to internal and external calls. She handles complaints, telephonic as well as website enquiries and she writes and consolidates monthly and quarterly reports
The call center is a pressurising and stressful environment and Elizabeth has survived working there for 8 years.
So how do you do it?
First and foremost you have to love your job. You have to be passionate about people, you must be patient and you must have good listening skills.
Elizabeth Maseko “you never ever say ‘I don’t know’ to a caller”
What makes an effective call center administrator?
Knowledge is an essential key, one must have relevant and updated information regarding all the different branches within the department, departmental policies, events and such... you never ever say I don’t know to a caller, when it happens that an individual calls about a matter you are unfamiliar with, one must take down their details find out what they need to know and call them back.
DHET CALL CENTER 0800 87 22
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
This week on the 21st, the world was celebrating an International Mother Language Day. Established thirteen years ago by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), aims at promoting and spreading awareness of our mother tongue, cultural diversity and as well as multilingualism.
Here are some of the words in translation of our Department:
1. English – Department of Higher Education and Training
2. Sepedi – Lefapha la Thuto ya Godimo le tlhahlo
3. South Sotho – Lefapha al Thuto e Phahameng le Thupelo
4. Tswana – Kgoro ya Thuto e Kgolwane le Katiso
5. Venda – Muhasho wa Pfunzo ya Ntha na Vhugudisi
6. Xhosa – Isebe lezeMfundo Ephakemeko Nebandulo
7. Zulu – Umnyango wezeMfundo Ephakeme Nokuqeqesha
8. Ndebele – Umnyango wezeMfundo ePhakamileyo noQeqesho
9. Tsonga – Ndzaulo ha Dyondo ya le Henhla na Vuleteri
10. Afrikaans – Departemente van Hoer Onderwys en Opleiding
11. Swati – Letiko le teMfundvo Lephakeme Nekucecesha
By Tsepo Seale