Siyakhula Education Foundation » Schools

Making Matric Matter

Andrew Barrett — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:28:47 +0000

Gauteng Offline

Andrew Barrett — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:02:15 +0000

Gautengonline is an ambitious and sorely needed programme run by the Gauteng Department of Education to equip every school in the province with a 25-station computer lab. The problem is that simply installing computers and IT-infrastructure does not automatically translate into effective and meaningful lessons for school learners.

Notwithstanding the paralysing bureaucracy that accompanies this project there is also inadequate teacher training, support and assistance with incorporating this technology into the teaching curriculum – expecially given that most teachers in our poorer schools are themselves computer illiterate. All we’re left with is an expensive outlay for non-existant outcomes and continued complaints about being under-resourced.

This computer lab in the photo above has been installed for over a year and there is yet to be a lesson conducted for learners. Similarly, on a visit to a nearby primary school, the computer lab was opened for the first time that week to show me around.

Should we be marching or something?

A Saturday Morning to Change the World

Andrew Barrett — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:29 +0000

Last week Siyakhula hosted a workshop facilitated by the Resolve Group who led a group of Grade 12 learners (selected from those who attend our Supplementary Tutoring Programme) through ‘An Introduction to the Workplace’ workshop. Topics included: workplace etiquette; job-seeking suggestions; c.v. tips; telephone skills; interview techniques; and basic business manners and expectations. The sessions were lively, dynamic, energetic and characterised by the enthusiastic and active engagement of the learners. It was great to allow oneself to be moved by the infectious desire of young people to learn and to view the world and the future as one brimming with possibility.

Its difficult however not to feel burdened by the reality that the majority of these kids will be desperately underprepared and under-educated when they leave school. In fact, it is difficult not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the schooling crisis – and it is a crisis! How can we make real the conviction that “how things are is not how things have to be”? Could we do worse than tapping into the idealism of these young people and allow a forward-looking worldview to shape our response?

For me, our response begins on a Saturday morning. Why don’t you join us between 10:00 and 11:30 at siyakhula and meet the kids? Maths and Science skills would be particularly beneficial but we are not Maths and Science machines and there are many other ways to connect with each other in growing our world and helping mend this universe.

Shifting Paradigms

Andrew Barrett — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:09 +0000

Part of the South Africa’s massive schooling problem has do with some of the teachers themselves – many feel overburdened, demoralised, disinterested and apathetic. Siyakhula and the Franklin Covey Foundation hosted a workshop for teachers from a nearby high school on ‘Individual and Team Greatness’ in the schooling context (a derivative of Steven Covey’s 7Habits). One of the challenges put to the educators was to consider a shift in mindset – specifically focussing on the particular sphere of influence most directly under one’s control – simple things really like ensuring your classes begin on time, that all lessons are well prepared and that classroom remain tidy. Our current grade 12s testify that this is often not the case.

The scale of the challenge however is reflected in the reality that a third of the staff failed to pitch – of those who did, a quarter did not stay till the end and at least half of those who remained have resignation and defeat etched on their faces. It was a depressing experience that reaffirmed the desperate need for teachers to engage deeply with these issues and we look forward to further Franklin Covey assistance in this regard. It seems wise to focus our resources on those teachers that want to be the catalysts of change – and there are many who do, they are afterall at the very coalface of real transformation in this country.

Do we need to shift any paradigms of our own? And could it be possible that our potential sphere of influence is greater than we imagine? How do we move away from the paralysis that seems to bedevil us whenever we confront the giants plaguing this land? If we focus on the things we can control, could this be how we change our world?

Crisis – What Crisis?

Andrew Barrett — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:46 +0000

As a country we’ve been wondering what exactly it means to describe something as a “crisis”. This past week myself and Prof Bhekizizwe Peterson entered into conversation with 2 High Schools in Ivory Park. I’ll post the outcome soon - in sum, it won’t make for comfortable reading. If G.K. Chesterton is right in maintaining that, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another”, then our collective soul is in desperate need of substance and sustenance. The reality is that we are the people with the capacity to provide this substance and sustenance. Whether we regard the situation in Ivory Park (and similar settings) as a ‘crisis’ or ‘challenge’ is largely irrelevant, what matters is how we respond.

In this regard, Ikamva Youth is a partner organisation of Siyakhula operating in Khayelitsha, Western Cape. Last year, their tutoring and learner support programme enabled 76% of those who attended weekly classes to access post-school study and learnership opportunities. Is this not something Siyakhula should be actively trying to replicate? What is our response?

Open Day – All Welcome

Andrew Barrett — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:20 +0000

Siyakhula operates in Ebony and Ivory Park and is about empowering under-resourced and underserved communities through educational initiatives. The core focus until now has been the development of computer literacy skills. Siyakhula is holding an OPEN DAY and GRADUATION on Saturday 29th March, 11h00 – 15h00. If you are interested in what Siyakhula has to offer, then please drop by for a first hand experience and a short tour.

For more information, call Andrew on 082 903 5979. For directions and a map to Siyakhula email: andrew@wearegrowing.org