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CCM and KwaZulu-Natal host the first Life Orientation workshop for educators
The Marketing Directorate within the Department of Corporate Communication and Marketing, in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal region, held its first Life Orientation workshop in Illovo (on the South Coast). Representatives from the Department of Education, the Department of Labour and various schools attended the workshop.
The purpose of the workshop was to establish partnerships with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education; create awareness and share critical information on comprehensive education and human resources development; assist Life Orientation educators to prepare learners for higher education; motivate principals and Life Orientation educators to become passionate about their profession; talk about the importance of correct subject choices at high school level to better prepare learners for higher education; and discuss career opportunities available at Unisa for educators to improve their qualifications.
Prof Dele Braimoh (Director: Institute for Open and Distant Learning) spoke about comprehensive education and the development of human resources using the open distance learning (ODL) model. Key in his presentation was the definition of ODL, the need for ODL in higher education, profiling ODL learners, the factors to consider when going the ODL route and the support available to distance learners.
The audience listened attentively to Mrs Mandu Makhanya’s (Career Development Specialist) presentation on the various generations, and more specifically, generation Y. According to her, this generation is what most educators currently have to deal with. The important issues that she raised were the generation gaps that exist between educators and learners, and how to deal with the challenges that come about as result of these generation gaps.
Mr Magnate Ntombela (Regional Director: Unisa KwaZulu-Natal) provided a motivational presentation on the challenges that principals and Life Orientation educators face on a daily basis.
The educators were shocked to learn about the importance of correct subject choice as this has the potential to deny learners the opportunity to follow careers of their choice. Mr Hennie Pretorius (Deputy Director: Admin and Financial Support Services) gave a presentation on the importance of subject choices. As a result of his presentation, he was requested by Principals to visit their schools and shed some light on correct subject choices.
Some of the areas of concern mentioned by educators were teenage pregnancy, how to identify vulnerable children, modules available for educators to upgrade their skills, technology in the classroom, how to motivate learners to learn, how to deal with learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, teaching diversity, the financial challenges of the learners and the aid that is available, and how to handle learners with problems (act as a counsellor).
The workshop was well attended. Unisa KwaZulu-Natal is already planning a workshop for Empangeni in September this year. A number of workshops have been planned for all the regions as representatives from all Unisa regions were present to take notes and help them prepare for similar workshops in their regions. | 
