The paradox of Theseus’ ship could give some clues on institutional identity and food for thought for schools looking to ‘transform’
schools
Posted inEquality, General
Has the public schooling model outlived its usefulness?
Global economies and the unprecedented democratisation of information have changed the world. Given that the main purpose of school was to teach children the necessities to live and to work, is there no easier, or more effective, way to achieve that same goal two centuries later?
Posted inGender violence
Why we don’t say ‘most’ men are trash
A rebuttal against the #MostMenAreTrash, #NotAllMen and basically any other alteration of the #MenAreTrash movement
Posted inEquality
Young activists: a thin chapter in the history curriculum
Some of the most brutal years of the anti-apartheid struggle, fought by women and children, are given a scant 20 minutes in the classroom
Posted inEquality
Racism – the greatest virus of our time
This essay came third in the 2020 Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Youth Essay Writing Competition Against Racism Close your eyes and picture this, you’re running an everyday errand. This errand can be whatever you wish, collecting mail, buying groceries, paying bills etc. The one minute you’re paying for the bread your wife asked you to buy, […]
Posted inEquality
Are our schools as accommodating as our constitution?
School is the first place where children get to interact with the diversity of this country, let us not let them go there narrow-minded
Posted inEquality
Connecting the gap: An open letter to the major cell networks, from a teacher
As government employees at a public school, the material we produce should be available to all in South Africa. You hold the key to sharing this invaluable treasure trove with the country.
Posted inNews/Politics
Words matter: Struggles on three fronts of Covid-19 relief
Linking the word ‘Covid-19’ with ‘schools’, ‘impact’, ‘relief’ and ‘wards’ reflects the concerns about schools, the economy and medical treatment — stories that dominated in the media
Posted inEnvironment, Equality, General, Health, Lifestyle
How do we fight racism when our schools are racially disintegrated?
By Lehlohonolo Mofokeng The brutal killing of a black man by the police force in the United States of America evoked in me what Chabani Manganyi noted in his seminal book Being Black in the World. In this book, Manganyi argues that there are two interwoven existential realities of being black—one positive and the other […]
Posted inEquality, Health, Lifestyle
How vandalism in public schools widens educational imbalances
By Lehlohonolo Mofokeng The number of vandalised schools in South Africa during the lockdown period stood at 1 577 as at 19 May 2020, according to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga. Barely 24 hours later, Kwazulu-Natal MEC of Education, Kwazi Mshengu, shared with his social media followers how Covid-19 essential goods were stolen […]
Posted inEquality, Health
Too little too late for schools facing multiple deprivation during lockdown
By Lehlohonolo Mofokeng When President Ramaphosa proactively announced a country-wide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and to allow hospitals to gear up for the inevitable onslaught, vulnerabilities that exist in our schools facing multiple deprivation (rural and township schools) were exposed. As the rest of the world has been brought to a […]
Posted inEquality, General, Health
Committed to teaching in the midst of smog: Five turnaround strategies for rural schools
By Lehlohonolo Mofokeng There is no shortage of evidence that our basic education is in shreds. That being said, the question that we should be asking ourselves is: how do we get out of this mess? How do we ensure that our learners, in spite of an already established culture of mediocrity, start to believe […]