Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development

The Magic Classroom Collective (MCC) came together for four days of shared learning, fun, and collaboration, all aimed at improving reading, writing, and maths teaching in the Foundation Phase!

For Grades R & 1, we dove into learning how to make stories come alive with the right length, purpose, and vocabulary. We also focused on phonics—why sounding out letters is so important—and how dictation helps with spelling and speed. We explored number toolkits in maths, building fluency with numbers, doubles, halves, and additive relations.

For Grade 2 & 3 teachers, we had a blast digging into maths mindsets, number pictures, and number lines. We explored how to teach doubles, halves, and even multiplication. We also did a detailed review of the workbooks, ensuring they aligned with NMI and ECDoE LABs and CAPS literacy outcomes.

One of the biggest hits was our Game Night! Teachers had so much fun playing Maths Games that they can take right back to their classrooms. We wrapped it all up with awesome teacher presentations and reflective writing sessions using the MCC Reflective Writing Frame.

It was a super engaging couple of days, filled with laughs, learning, and collaboration. Our teachers, already doing incredible work, left the Bootcamp feeling energized and ready to take their classrooms to the next level!

A special shoutout to the exceptional graduates from the 2021 UFH bilingual B.Ed programme, first introduced in 2018, who joined us for the Winter School workshop in East London this past weekend!

The workshop offered a platform for these pioneering teachers to reflect on their experiences, share insights, and enhance both the bilingual programme and their own teaching practices. It was a great opportunity to explore their motivations, classroom experiences, and practical teaching tools developed by us.

One participant shared, "The workshop had a great impact on me. It gave me a clear idea of how to make my teaching effective and interesting."

Your dedication and insights have been truly inspiring. As you continue to shape the future of education, we wish you all the best in your teaching journeys. Good luck and keep shining!

Celebrating Women’s Day: Empowering Futures Together

Today, on Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who are the backbone of our communities and the cornerstone of education and development. We honour the strength, dedication, and unwavering commitment of women who lead with passion and inspire change.

Women in education and rural development play a vital role in shaping the future, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities. Their tireless efforts in nurturing young minds, advocating for equality, and driving progress are a testament to their resilience and vision.

As we reflect on the achievements of women across our communities, let us also reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and girls, ensuring they have the resources, support, and opportunities to thrive. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl can realize her full potential and contribute to a brighter, more equitable future.

Happy Women’s Day to all the remarkable women who continue to make a difference every day. Your courage and determination inspire us all.

Yesterday, we attended the "Partnerships in Practice: Improving Rural Education in the Eastern Cape" conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Hotel in East London. It was an inspiring event hosted by Axium Education, bringing together passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing education in rural areas.

We had our stall showcasing our impactful work and were honoured to be part of the "Partnerships for Early Literacy" panel. Our very own education specialist, Bulelwa Galada, represented us alongside esteemed colleagues from Funda Wande and Axium Education.

The conference celebrated achievements in the rural education space and served as a powerful call to action. It was an opportunity to learn from each other, share insights, and build new connections to strengthen our collective efforts. We saw firsthand the power of partnerships in practice, as successful models and strategies were highlighted throughout the day.

We are looking forward to continuing this important work and building on the momentum from yesterday!

Join our deputy director, Dr. Brian Ramadiro, as he moderates a discussion with Professor Leketi Makalela (WITS) and Dr. Naledi Mbude-Mehana (DBE) on transforming reading literacy and education in African languages, hosted by the National Association of Social Change Entities and Department of Basic Education (NASCEE).

Key Topics:
• Logic of African Languages in Reading Literacy: Discover how leveraging the logic of African languages can enable African children to read for meaning and excel in local and international literacy assessments.
• Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE): Explore the transformative potential of using African languages for learning, teaching, and assessment (LoLTA) beyond grade 3, specifically at grade 4 for Mathematics and Science.

Date: 25 June 2024
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Microsoft Teams Meeting:
Meeting ID: 365 935 059 702
Passcode: DRbqUZ

For more info, check out the NASCEE events website: [https://nascee.org.za/events]

Today our deputy director, Dr. Lwazi B Ramadiro, alongside The University of the Western Cape lecturer and long-time friend of the NMI, Dr. Xoli Guzula, will present multilingual materials for International Mother Language Day celebrations.’

Their presentation is part of a program organized by Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), and the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE), to highlight the importance of mother language-based bilingual teaching, learning, and assessment in South Africa.

Other presentations thereon include the launch of the Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) Rollout for South Africa by the Minister of Department of Basic Education (DBE), Angie Motshekga; the Proposed Assessment for tracking the use of African Languages as Languages of Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LoLTA) by Department of Basic Education (DBE) Director of Assessment and Examinations, Dr. M. Chetty; and the PanSALB Mandate in Support of Mother Language Education by PanSALB CEO, Mr. Lance Schultz and more.

Today is . Let's celebrate World Read Aloud Day with this quotation from our deputy director, Dr. Lwazi B Ramadiro:

"If children are to become independent readers, they need to have a reason or motivation to read, which itself is a consequence of having had many positive experiences of written language being used in a meaningful and enjoyable way. This includes having had many experiences of being read to and of responding to stories in multiple ways such as talking through stories with adults; retelling stories to others; altering plots of stories; drawing detailed pictures about aspects of stories or writing about them; or roleplaying stories."

Reading aloud is a powerful way to connect with others and share the joy of storytelling. Whether it's a classic tale, a favourite poem, or a new adventure, the simple act of reading aloud can spark imagination and create lasting memories. Today, we invite you to take a moment to read aloud to someone you love. Share a story, share a laugh, and share the magic of words.

Our deputy director, Dr Lwazi B Ramadiro, penned a foreword for a report titled "School Dropout: Reading Between The Lines, 2023." This report, published by The Zero Dropout Campaign and supported by DGMT, is part of a national campaign focused on halving the school dropout rate by 2030.

"At the core of the report is a profound observation with which I agree, that is, that reading is a social activity. That like any social activity, such as learning to play a sport or musical instrument, the learner has to be interested in the activity and regard it as worth pursuing; regularly observe more proficient people perform the activity; and have a lot of opportunities to practice and receive constructive feedback." - Dr Brian Ramadiro, Deputy Director, Nelson Mandela Institute, UFH

To download a copy of the report, visit https://zerodropout.co.za/school-dropout-reading-between-the-lines/.

To learn more about the remarkable work of The Zero Dropout Campaign, visit https://zerodropout.co.za/.

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School Dropout: Reading Between The Lines A national campaign focused on halving the rate of school dropout by 2030

The Nelson Mandela Institute invites you to our inaugural Indibano Online, a platform for meaningful discussions and shared insights. This time, we'll be diving into a crucial topic: "Reactions to the 2023 Matric Results."

Date: Thursday, 25 January 2024
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Platform: Zoom (Check the link in the description below to join)

The panel includes: Nobuntu Mazeka (Teacher Development Coordinator), Qhama Ngcobo (Junior Researcher), Nangamso Ka NomaHlubi-Koza (Development Strategist) and will be moderated by Bomikazi Njoloza.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87385174840?pwd=UhpW0z2YykFjjc310glWPuWHvRnCfJ.1

Join us, as your voice matters, and your insights have the power to ignite positive change!

Exciting News!

Join us in welcoming Qhama Ngcobo to our team! Qhama is an accomplished education professional with a Bachelor of Education Degree from Nelson Mandela University (2017) and a recent Bachelor of Education Honors from the University of Fort Hare (2021). She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Fort Hare, specializing in Early Grade Mathematics.

Having previously worked as a dedicated Foundation Phase Educator at Tshatshu Primary School in the BCM (KWT) District from 2018 to 2023, Qhama brings a wealth of experience to our team. Now, as our Junior Researcher at NMI, Qhama is all set to make a meaningful impact in the realm of Early Grade Math Education.

Let's give Qhama a warm welcome and look forward to achieving great things together!

A Warm Welcome to Dr. Jeremia (Jerry) Lepheana! 🌟

We are thrilled to introduce our newest addition to the team, Dr. Jeremia Lepheana, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our community. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, Dr. Lepheana started as a dedicated teacher in various schools in the Maluti district, now known as Alfred Nzo West District, in 1997. His passion for education and commitment to excellence led him to serve as a school principal for 11 years and as a deputy principal for 2 years in the General Education and Training Band. In pursuit of continuous growth and learning, Dr. Lepheana earned his PhD from Rhodes University in 2021, a Med from Walter Sisulu University in 2016, a B.Ed. Honours from the University of Pretoria in 2009, a B Tech in Education from Tshwane University of Technology in 2004, and a Primary Teachers' Diploma from Maluti College of Education in 1996. His dedication to advancing education extends beyond the classroom, as Dr. Lepheana has presented at various conferences on regional, national, and international platforms. We are honoured to have Dr. Lepheana join us as a B Ed Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela Institute at the University of Fort Hare. His expertise and passion for education will undoubtedly inspire and empower our students.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Jeremia Lepheana!

Exciting News!

This morning, our Deputy Director, Dr. Lwazi B Ramadiro , delivered a keynote address at The University of the Western Cape 's Centre for African Languages Teaching (CALT) launch. His talk centered on the theme "Successes, Challenges, and Prospects for Early Reading in African Languages".

Furthermore, Dr. Ramadiro actively participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion alongside distinguished individuals such as Dr. N. Magadla (Chairperson of CALT), Dr. S. Stofile, Ms. Ngece, Ms. Dlaku, and Professor Carole Bloch.

Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more updates on this enlightening event!

Today, UFH Bilingual BEd lecturers Lwazi B Ramadiro and Ntombizanele Mahobe are guiding their 3rd-year LCX 323E students in a captivating reading of isiXhosa stories! The "Language of Conventional Competence" module at Fort Hare University is all about equipping students with essential isiXhosa communication tools for the classroom. This interactive exercise is tailored to boost confidence and deepen their grasp of the language. What's truly commendable is that many of these amazing students aren't native isiXhosa speakers! Kudos to their commitment to embracing linguistic diversity. This group is just one of three that will embark on this enriching journey throughout the week. Stay tuned for more updates!

Celebrating International Day of Rural Women 2023

On this special day, we pay tribute to the incredible rural women who are an integral part of the Magic Classroom Collective (MCC). They serve as foundation phase teachers, teacher educators, and researchers, shaping the future of education in rural areas.

This year's theme focuses on acknowledging the pivotal role and contributions of rural women, including indigenous women, in driving agricultural and rural development, enhancing food security, and eradicating rural poverty.

UN Women urges us all to act and provide the necessary support for rural women and girls, empowering them to thrive in socio-economic aspects.

In the words of the great Nelson Mandela: "You must now seize the opportunities that are made available to you to care for your health; to educate yourselves; to familiarize yourselves with new technology; to play your rightful role in the economy and government of your nation - in short; to assert the rights you now have as women, which you were denied before. Our nation is depending on you to help put our economy along a path of lasting growth so that we can continue to make improvements in the lives of our people."

Let us stand together and uplift the rural women who are the backbone of our communities!

Join us for an enlightening conversation with our deputy director, Dr. Lwazi B Ramadiro, as he engages with the Department of education on the crucial topic of reading literacy. The discussion will centre around the theme of "Widening epistemic access to all children in the Education Sector with reading literacy."

Specifically, Dr. Lwazi B Ramadiro will delve into the readiness of Higher Education Institutions to incorporate Mother Tongue Education within their Initial Teacher Education Programs for the Foundation Phase. He will spotlight institutions that excel in providing courses to equip teachers with the ability to teach children how to read in their native languages during the foundational stages of education.

The session commences at 15:30 and concludes at 17:30 this afternoon. To participate, simply click on the following MS Teams link: https://tinyurl.com/5bkkwvt8

For any additional inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Naledi Mbude-Mehana, DOG of Transformation Programs at DBE, via email at [email protected] or contact our office at 043 704 7388. Your active engagement in this discussion is highly valued.