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UFS dean contributes to education quality assurance through Umalusi council appointment

23 June 2022 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)

Prof Loyisa Jita — Member of sixth Umalusi Council, Prof Loyiso Jita

Dean of Education and SANRAL Chair in Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Education, Prof Loyiso Jita, has been appointed as a member of the sixth Umalusi Council for General and Further Education and Training quality assurance for 2022-2026.

Umalusi council members are appointed by the Minister of Education for their professional expertise in education and training. The council is formally mandated to research matters related to the sub-framework of qualifications responsible for the General and Further Education and Training qualifications. Prof Jita will be playing a governance role in Umalusi as an organisation.

Appointment a recognition of contribution to quality assurance systems

Sharing his sentiments on the appointment, Prof Jita said it was an affirmation of his dedication to delivering quality education in the country. “Being on the council is further recognition of one’s contribution to the quality assurance systems of the country and an elevation of the role in decision-making. The council, for instance, provides final approval of Grade 12 national results in public and private schools.”

He previously served on one of the Umalusi sub-committees responsible for assessment and standards, also known as the Grade 12 Standardisation Committee.

The sixth council will meet for the first time in September for induction and allocating specific roles to members.

Prof Jita joined the UFS in 2012. In 2014, the University of the Free State (UFS), in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency, launched the SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education on the Bloemfontein Campus, and Prof Jita was appointed as the first SANRAL Chair. In 2017, he was appointed as Dean of Education.

News Archive

Academic produces another book

2009-12-01

Academic, author and motivational speaker, Dr Michael van Wyk (pictured), has written another book titled Cooperative learning as a teaching strategy for the classroom: A practical guide for economics teachers.

His latest offering provides a sound theoretical framework and practical ways on how to implement the different cooperative learning techniques. It unpacks the practical aspects of the outcomes-based approach, the National Curriculum Statement for the Further Education and Training phase and cooperative learning techniques for the economics classroom.

This easy-to-read book offers a thorough introductory text for economics teachers and economics students, as well as lecturers and researchers.

“This theoretical and practical guide will support Economics teachers to present their subject in practical ways that are meaningful and learner centred,” he said.

“If this can be achieved, learners will engage effectively in the subject and an interest in the learning content may be evoked.”

The book covers the following aspects:

It introduces the foundations of the outcomes-based education approach (OBE) and the new curriculum model for South African schools.
It examines the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of cooperative learning as a teaching strategy.
It provides practical guidelines for application of cooperative learning techniques.

“This book gives an outline, in a constructive way, on how to apply the cooperative learning techniques such as Teams Games Tournaments (TGT), Student Teams Achievement Divisions (STAD), role-play, simulations, Economics quizzes, small group teaching and research projects in the classroom,” he said.

“These techniques have the potential to make a positive contribution to the enhancement of academic performances, development of social skills and an improvement of the learning skills of the learners.”

The book is designed as a theoretical and practical guide for Economics Education students, Economics teachers, Learning Area Economics and Management Science facilitators, Curriculum developers, Economics subject advisors, researchers and trainers; for the successful implementation of cooperative learning as a teaching strategy.

Dr Van Wyk is a staff member of the Department of Curriculum Studies in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State (UFS). He also serves on the board of the South African Foundation on Economics and Financial Education (SAFEFE).

Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

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