President Jacob Zuma will lead a South African delegation of Cabinet Ministers and business leaders to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos,...

read more Southern Africa Business News...

Johannesburg - Instead of taking notes using the old pen and paper, learners at Boitumelong Secondary School will now use the new tablets provided in their classrooms.This paperless education system -- a project branded the "Big Switch On" -- will enable learners to have access to learning...

Full Story on Education portal ...

President Jacob Zuma has paid tribute to one of South Africa’s renowned conservation activists, Dr Ian Player.

Player, aged 87, died on 30 November 2014 of a stroke. He was the brother of professional golfer Gary Player.

A public memorial service was held today for Player in Durban, where Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa read the President’s tribute to the globally recognised conservation legend.

“His achievements speak volumes of the hero that he had become, changing the lives of countless people, winning the Canoe Marathon which he initiated, serving in various Boards of Directors including the SANPARKS Board and winning numerous awards including Knight in the Order of the Golden Ark as well as a decoration for Meritorious Service, our country’s Civilian Award.

“His departure is a great loss to the nation, to our environment and to nature conservation in general. We will miss him greatly. We will remember all the good works under his name, including pioneering the methods and drugs to immobilise and translocate large mammals as well as serving in a team that captured and moved many white Rhino’s to save them from extinction,” said Minister Molewa.

The President described Player as a dedicated and fully committed individual, who always put the rights and interests of the people first.

“Words alone cannot express our sympathy enough. Our sincere words of condolence also go to the Wilderness Foundation, the Wilderness Leadership School and the Magqubu Ntombela Foundation.

“May the family find comfort in knowing that your loved one brought joy not only to you, but also into the lives of others while he was alive. May his soul rest in peace.” – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Labour has urged all designated employers to submit their Employment Equity (EE) report plans before the reporting season closes tomorrow.

The department reminded all designated employers that they have until 15 January 2015 to file their EE online submissions.

In terms of the new EE legislation that is now in force, it is compulsory for all designated employers to submit their EE report plans with the Department of Labour.

The 2014 reporting season opened on 1 September and the manual submissions closed in October 2014.

The reporting season was preceded by a series of national road shows held by the Department of Labour’s EE Directorate. The department sought to encourage and inform designated employers on successful EE reporting, with special focus on publicising the Amended Employment Equity Act and EE Regulations. – SAnews.gov.za

Tribal people have been forcibly and illegally evicted from India’s Kanha Tiger Reserve – home of Kipling’s The Jungle Book – in the name of tiger conservation. Across India, many more face a similar threat. Evicted tribespeople report that the Forest Department threatened to release elephants to trample their houses and crops if they did [...] Tribespeople evicted from Jungle Book tiger reserve is a post from: EconSpire
The post Tribespeople evicted from Jungle Book tiger reserve appeared first on EconSpire.


read more Eco News ..

Johannesburg - With inland schools opening today, learners in seven Gauteng schools are walking into a new era of the digital classroom, which will connect them to a world of endless educational opportunities.

The pilot project, known as the "Big Switch On", is a paperless education system, which will enable learners to have access to learning material, workbooks and other subject matter through the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT).

The seven schools in the pilot project will also receive state-of-the-art internet connection and each leaner will receive a tablet, turning ordinary schools into “classrooms of the future”.

According to the provincial Department of Education, the "Big Switch On” pilot project is the first step in realising Gauteng's vision, which aspires to build a world-class education system by modernising public education and improving the standard of performance across the entire system.

Learners at Boitumelong Secondary School in Tembisa are one of the first of seven Gauteng township schools to “bury the chalkboard” and adopt this new approach to teaching.

Several learners that SAnews spoke to at the school believed that the new devices will make learning more exciting. Many have never owned a computer let alone a tablet.

"I do not think I will ever miss a day of school again and I will never have a reason to fail science or maths ever," said grade 10 learner Pearl Mokoena said.

Another learner said their township school will not be different from the former Model C schools, thanks to the devices.

The price tag to migrate all schools in the province to the digital system is estimated at R17 billion over the next five years.

The tablets are programmed for educational purposes only, with lessons pre-loaded.

Permanent IT specialists will be on site at any given time to assist the students and educators with the new system.

Apart from surveillance cameras, each school will have two armed security officers. The tablets have also been fitted with tracking devices.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi will participate in the launch of the paperless education system. - SAnews.gov.za

Cape Town – Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has announced that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has set aside R9.5 billion in bursaries and loans for 2015.

Briefing journalists in Pretoria on Monday, the Minister also said this year’s allocation was an increase compared to 2014’s R8.3 billion.

He said NSFAS would fund 205 000 first-time entering and continuing eligible students at universities and 200 000 students at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

“One of the most successful schemes established by government to assist students from poor disadvantaged families with academic ability is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which provides loans and bursaries to students at all 26 public universities and 50 public TVET colleges throughout the country.

“In 2014, NSFAS provided student loans and bursaries totalling over R8.3 billion, which excluded the once-off allocation of R1 billion for the servicing of the 2013 shortfall of R700 million and 2014 shortfall of R300 million,” he said.

The Minister said in addition to NSFAS funding, the National Skills Fund (NSF) would also step in to make further allocations to students who would be studying towards critical skills programmes that are most needed for the growth of the economy.

“NSFAS has been allocated over R562.9 million for bursaries for scarce and critical skills for the current year from the NSF.

“This funding is made available through the financial aid offices in universities and students wishing to make use of these bursaries are advised to enrol for critical skills, which include science, commerce, health science, engineering,” he said.

The Minister said his department was committed to expanding access and success in in institutions of higher learning for students who have special needs.

He said at TVET colleges, government paid 80% of the programme cost of the student’s choice with an additional allocation being made dependent on the type and severity of the disability.

In addition, NSFAS has earmarked R69.3 million in the 2015 academic year to provide financial aid to disabled students in universities, the Minister said.

Matriculants encouraged to apply for tertiary studies early

The Minister said it was important for matriculants to be proactive and to apply for admission as early as possible, saying it was always a challenge if Grade 12 learners passed their exams without admission as previous practices like walk-in applications had been long abolished.

He said to further assist students submit their applications on time, his department, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, launched the “apply now” campaign to create awareness of career options, study opportunities and application procedures for post-school education and training.

“We have reached out to Grade 9 to 12 learners in 6 812 public secondary and combined schools in the country distributing the “Apply Now” booklet.

This campaign complemented the Career Development Services Helpline (0860 356 635) and Khetha radio programmes which ran on 10 SABC African languages radio stations including Afrikaans, social media platforms and career awareness events.

“The National Career Advice Portal (NCAP) provides access to career information on career pathways, occupations and relevant education and training opportunities,” he said.

The Minister also said that his department was operating the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) once again in 2015.

He said the CACH call centre and website went live on 2 January 2015.

“The CACH service has been developed to assist learners who qualify for higher education studies, have applied for a space at an institution, but have not been offered a place at the institution of their choice after the matric results are released.

“It is also accessible to those learners who did not apply before the closing dates last year and now find that they are eligible for higher education studies.

“Learners looking for spaces in the university education system can contact the toll free call centre on 0800 356 635 or send an SMS with their name, ID and contact number to 49200 and they will be telephoned back free of charge,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za

The 46th edition of Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and the 13th edition of World Boutique, Hong Kong organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will be held from 19-22 January. Sharing the rich fashion ambience with the public this month, the HKTDC is organising “Hong Kong in Fashion”, a citywide promotional... [Continue Reading]Countdown To Hong Kong Fashion Week 2015 is a post from: FashnSpire


more Fashion news and information ...

Steven Gerrard is on his way to the MLS, but who will replace the Liverpool skipper as captain at Anfield? Leading bookmaker Coral make Jordan Henderson the 4-9 favourite to replace Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard as their club captain when he leaves in the summer. Martin Skertel is in the betting at 4-1, while Dejan [...]Steven Gerrard off to MLS is a post from: Time-4-Sport


more Sports News ...

Pretoria - The Mpumalanga Department of Education has started its “Book Flood” campaign, which aims to instil a culture of reading among learners of all age groups.

The department is running the campaign in collaboration with Ilanga Mall in Mbombela.

The department on Friday said the initiative aims to increase the availability of story books in public schools by encouraging the public and private sector to donate books.

“The Book Flood campaign is directed at all learners and will contribute to the overall improvement of learning outcomes as a result of availability of reading resources.

“The project will also assist learners to improve their literacy skills, increase access to reading materials, improve their performance in reading, and improve their comprehension of all subjects,” the department said.

“We therefore call upon members of the community, the business community and all other stakeholders to participate in this campaign by donating any type of books,” said Education MEC Reginah Mhaule.

The department, together with the management of Ilanga Mall, will put boxes across the mall where the books can be deposited. – SAnews.gov.za