Department of basic education to decolonize curriculum

(Shutterstock)

The struggle concerning higher education funding and transformation has exposed us to phenomenon’s like decolonised education, but this time it’s the basic education officials that have proposed the thought to decolonise the curriculum of basic education to parliament.

What exactly is decolonised education?  Decolonized education is the act of getting rid of foreign literature while freeing the country from being dependent on other countries for literature, as defined by the fees must fall movement.

If this is the case, then it will be a bitter-sweet goodbye to the writings of the Great Shakespeare and other literatures characterized with a Eurocentric feel. Eurocentric literature is loved by many for its depth in linguistics and flair. They are not so popular among the crowed that strongly advocates for the advancement of African literature and the Africanism ideology.

Plans to decolonise the curriculum, which have been earmarked for implementation between 2020 and 2030, include:

• Extending the policy of teaching pupils in their mother tongue from grades 1 to 3 to grades 4 to 6; and
• Making history compulsory at schools.
• The introduction of indigenous knowledge systems and practices;

This move was well received by the opposition. The Democratic Alliance spokesperson on education   Gavin Davis, suggested that the curriculum should be distinctly South African, reflecting the country’s rich experience and diversity.

Wits university students holding a banner to show their stand in decolonising education during the fees must fall protests (Backpage Pix)

The Mail and Guardian recently reported that the department has not yet figured out how they are going to implement their plan but have confidence that they will come up with strategies very soon.
https://soundcloud.com/davinci_sa/department-of-basic-education-to-decolonise-carriculam

Corporal punishment horror 

An image of a teacher administering corporal punishment to a pupil (Shutterstock) 

Schools are meant to be the one of the safest places where pupils fulfil their educational practices. However many studies show that corporal punishment is adopted worldwide in many schools.

Corporal punishment was abolished in 1997 in our basic education system but 20 years later schools still rely on it as a form of a disciplinary measure against pupils who engage in various misconducts. It is widely believed that discipline is required for students in order for them to be successful in education, especially during the compulsory education period. Rosen (1997)

The latest victim to this phenomenon is Sphamandla Choma, the 14 year old boy from Middelburg Mpumalanga, was left paralysed and a few months later died from his injuries after being allegedly assaulted by his school principal.

Earlier this year Sowetan Live reported that the boy was left paralysed after being assaulted by his school principal for stealing R150, 00 from the teacher’s bag.

Speaking to Michelle Craig of eNCA, spokesperson of the Mpumalanga department of education Jasper Zwane voiced out his disapproval of the practice and encouraged pupils and parents to report incidences to the department and the police.

Pupils raising their hands in class to respond or get the teachers attention (Shutterstock)

The principal has been charged with misconduct for allegedly assaulting Sphamandla but the issue could prove to be more intricate if indeed the boy died as a result of the injuries that he sustained as a result of the assault. The worst scenario for the principal would be a murder charge against him.

In line with the Constitution, the National Education Policy Act of 1996 (Republic of South Africa, 1996a: A-47) states that “no person shall administer corporal punishment or subject a student to psychological or physical abuse at any educational institution”. Schools have to come up with functional alternative measures in order to deal with indiscipline.

The dilemma in this issue is how do school teachers instil discipline without infringing on the rights of pupils and avoid trampling on the constitution? Government introduced the Alternatives to corporal punishment document as a way to deal with the conundrum.

Alternatives to corporal punishment as contained in the document are: 

• Give praise – Reward pupils for positive behaviour.

• Lead by example – Project a type of conduct that you expect from the pupils.

• Be realistic – Don’t just want to instil discipline even on circumstances that require compassion and understanding.

• Restorative Justice – The use of disciplinary techniques that will discourage other pupils from misbehaving.

• Don’t threaten or shout at children.

• Be respectful – If you respect your pupils it is likely that they will do the same.

• Use ‘good’ words to describe children – Child naming cultivates bad behaviour.

• Use guidance and counselling methods – Explain to the pupils what kind of conduct is expected from them.

The growing number of corporal punishment incidences depicts that the alternatives to corporal punishment document is not working, perhaps new legislature should be introduced. 

https://soundcloud.com/davinci_sa/corporal-punishment-horros-online-audio-convertercom

Forget about Istanbul miracle, there is Camp Nou miracle now 

Barcelona players and stuff embrace each other after beating PSG 6-1 on the night to complete the miracle comeback in sports in Barcelona (Le quip foot)

Now you can safely forget about the Istanbul miracle as five times champions league winners F.C Barcelona produced one of the best comebacks in sports and entertainment at a rocking Camp Nou, in Barcelona on Wednesday night. The odds were up against Louis Enrique’s men in this tie as they had to overcome a four goal deficit that they suffered on a faithful valentine’s day in Paris three weeks ago, a feat that had never been achieved by any club in the history of the competition.

Going in to the match they still believed that they can still achieve the impossible dream. After their first leg drubbing, Enrique thought, if Paris Saint-Germain can score four goals, what can stop them from scoring six goals?

The rocking Camp Nou was sent to early raptures when Louis Suarez headed home with two minutes on the clock.  PSG were rattled, they even failed to string a few passes together. Barcelona’s tactical discipline was amazing, the pressing, desire and zest was all there for everyone to see as PSG were just allowed to only take speculative efforts at goal. On the stroke of half time calamites defending from PSG handed Barcelona their second to make it 4-2 on aggregate and 2-0 on the night.

It was disastrous for PSG as they again succumbed to Barcelona’s sleek passing by conceding a penalty early in the second half. Lionel Messi made it 3-0 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate from the spot. Now the world believed it can be done, on the 61^st minute Edinson Cavani restored parity for PSG with a thumping finish to make it 5-3 on aggregate and further stretched the tie away from Barcelona.

Sergio Roberto stabs the ball past Traap to complete the memorable comeback in what was the last kick of the match (Le quip foot)

PSG grew stronger as the match progressed. They initiated a few attacks of their own and they were able to bridge the Barca defence on a few occasions but two things stood in their way: poor finishing and shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who was a spectator for much of the match. Barcelona was going through their paces but nothing happened until the 87^th minute when Neymar produced something magical; a curler that left Traap rooted in his goalpost. They again started to believe and on the 89^th minute Marquinhos fouled Louis Suarez on the box. Neymar made it 5-1 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate to revitalise the Camp Nou to a live arena once again. 

Barcelona only had five minutes to find a winner and complete the perfect fairy tale or watch PSG walk into the quarter finals on their expense. On the stroke of optional time Neymar found a lurking Sergio Roberto on the back post who finely flicked the ball with the outside of his right boot in what was the last touch of the game to deliver a classic in the night skies of Barcelona. The best come back in sports history was written and the rest is history.

On other results, Borussia Dortmunt F.C dismantled Benfica 4-0 to progress to the quarter finals on a 4-1 aggregate win. 

https://soundcloud.com/davinci_sa/online-story-barca-come-back

 Bayern Munich exhibits a master class against ten men Arsenal

 

David Alaba, Robben, Arturo Vidal and Xabi Alonso help Robert Lewandosiki to celebrate his goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (Sky Sports)

It was Déjà vu at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal were handed a five goal thrashing in their second leg round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich to crash out of the UEFA Champions League. The odds were against Arsene Wenger’s men in this duel, to progress to the next stage of the competition, they had to overcome a four goal deficit; a feat that has never been achieved by any club in the history of the competition.

The fully packed Emirates stadium was given a glimmer of hope when Theo Walcott opened the scoring with an immaculate finish in the 20^th minute to make it 5-2 on aggregate on the break.

The tie slipped away from the Gunners when centre back Laurent koscielny got sent off after handling the ball inside the penalty area. Initially the match official had awarded the French international with a yellow card but changed his decision seconds later after a short consultation with his assistant, a decision which left Arsene Wenger furious. Robert Lewandonski made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it one all on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.

A demoralized looking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the 5-1 trashing they suffered in the hands of Bayern Munich at the Emerates Stadium in London 

That controversial spell was followed by a master class performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men as they went on to score three goals in 12 minutes. The flying Dutch man, Arjen Robben scored the first followed by midfielder Arturo Vidal who begged himself a brace.

Arsenal was presented with a couple of opportunities to restore parity but poor finishing let them down. The tie was put to bed by Douglas Costa in the 81^st minute to make it 5-1 on the night and 10-2 on aggregate. This result came at the wrong time for Wenger as many are calling for his head.

In other results, 11 time champions Real Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Napoli 3-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate to progress to the quarter finals thanks to skipper Sergio Ramos who netted twice in six minutes.

https://soundcloud.com/davinci_sa/online-story-3

The SAHRC holds a national hearing on social media and racism 

Members of the public and  the ANC marching, condemning the spate of racism on social media (Backpage pix)

The South African Human Rights Commission just concluded a two day hearing on social media and racism on Thursday in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. This was after a series of racial social media rants that sent shock waves through the country and resuscitated race tensions between blacks and whites.

The recent rant was by a Limpopo man, Phillip Roodt, who posted about how black beachgoers crowded beaches like cockroaches and how he hoped they drown one by one.

The commission was listening to submissions from a number of players like implementers of the legislation regulating hate speech, non-government organisations and the various social media platforms. The public was part of the proceedings but they were barred from submitting recommendations.

The commission is chaired by advocate Bongani Majola, assisted by Justice Albie Sachs and Commissioner Angie Makwetla. The commission seek to find out the following: what constitutes racism in the context of social media, who should be liable and to what extent.

The commission maintains that it fully advocate for free speech which is vital in a democratic setting but it also recognises the responsibility it has to protect individuals and groups that feel vindicated in the process.

The narrative from platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is that they cannot screen users’ thoughts before publication as that constitute censorship. In their submission, Facebook said that they can’t screen people’s thoughts before publication but users must report sensitive material and then they can intervene by removing such posts.

The commission is expected to report back their findings and recommendations in two months’ time.

https://soundcloud.com/davinci_sa/audio-clip-1-sahrc-holds-national-hearing-on-social-media-and-racism