College of Education

The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher

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Buti Manamela (Deputy Minister: Higher Education and Training)

The College of Education (CEDU) at Unisa hosted a celebration to mark the annual United Nations (UN) World Teachers’ Day (WTD) on 5 October 2018.

“It is a day on which the world pays tribute to the committed dedicated professionals who are the heartbeat of our education system,” said Professor Gugu Moche, Unisa's Vice-Principal of Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement, and Student Support.

The VP explained that the occasion embraced the status of those who are educators in the post school sector.

The theme for the 2018 WTD commemoration is “the right to education means the right to a qualified teacher”.

Buti Manamela, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, said, “I am where I am because I had good teachers.” He explained that “a qualification is the starting point”, but emphasised the importance of language in creating a supportive and enabling environment that optimises quality teaching and learning experiences.

Joe Samuels, the CEO of the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA), spoke with authority when he discussed the role of collective responsibility in teaching and learning. His noteworthy presentation underlined the manner in which teachers continue to challenge and inspire societies to venture into various new fields of profession. Samuels is also the Chair of the UNESCO Commission for Education.

Professor Ivan Hofsajer from the School of Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) agreed with Dr Angie Setlhako, a manager of the Teaching Practice Unit at CEDU, that the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) is here. Technology is transforming the teaching profession. Hofsajer warned against the treatment of students as groups and demonstrated the opportunities availed by technology in order to develop each student to required standards.

Prof Phaladi Sebate (Deputy ED: CEDU), Prof. Veronica McKay (ED: CEDU), Prof Oupa Lebeloane (Director: School of Educational Studies, CEDU), Prof Meahabo Magano (Teaching and Learning Manager: CEDU), Prof Ivan Hofsajer (School of Engineering, Wits), Dr Soane Mohapi (Community Engagement Manager: CEDU), and Dr Angie Setlhako (Teaching Practice Manager: CEDU)

If you want to study to be a teacher in South Africa, then Unisa ought to be your first choice. CEDU is responsible for producing over 50% of teachers in South Africa; currently, there are 116000 registered students. “CEDU is contributing to the pedagogy of ubuntu,” said Professor Veronica McKay, Executive Dean of the college and host of the important teacher celebration event. It is important to note that the Academic Ranking of World Universities’ (ARWU) latest annual ranking of academic subjects for 2018 shows that CEDU excels in the subject of Education and ranks first among the top South African universities in this field.

The event consisted of a panel discussion and various artistic showcases of the various community engagement initiatives across CEDU.

Prof Veronica McKay (ED: CEDU)

The 70th anniversary theme was chosen “to remind the global community that the right to education cannot be achieved without the right to trained and qualified teachers”.

“If you can read this, say thanks to your teacher,” concluded Professor Phaladi Sebate, CEDU Deputy Executive Dean.

*By Dineo Horner

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Publish date: 2018-10-31 00:00:00.0

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