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16 February 2023 | Story Kekeletso Takang | Photo Kekeletso Takang
Leading in Open Distance and E-Learning is Dr Bawinile Mthanti (left), and Programme Director for Childhood Education; Dr Zukiswa Nhase (right).

If you want to make a change, be you. These are the words of Dr Zukiswa Nhase, Programme Director for the Department of Childhood Education and Lecturer in the Faculty of Education. She believes that to make an impact, a leader needs to demonstrate care.

As of 2023, the Department of Childhood Education (DCE) – Foundation Phase – relocated to the South Campus, widening the offering of the campus. The Grade R Diploma in Teaching and the Advanced Certificate in Teaching are flagship undergraduate programmes offered by the Faculty of Education.

 Grade R Diploma bridging the gap

The Grade R Diploma in Teaching, an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), is geared towards equipping and supporting childhood development teachers. 

Catering for the Free State context, the qualification accommodates English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, and isiZulu speakers. Teachers are taught by experienced specialists in the field who understand their daily challenges. This is according to Dr Nhase. The DCE has much to offer, being a leader in the country in offering the Grade R diploma, with universities across South Africa benchmarking from the UFS.  

The primary purpose of this qualification is to empower teachers with the appropriate skills and knowledge to optimise any teaching-learning situation. Informed by research, the Grade R Diploma in Teaching has been developed to meet specific national skills needs that exist in South Africa’s education system, with specific reference to the Grade R distance education model which provides a customised and practical opportunity for existing teachers to upgrade their knowledge and level of professionalism without having to attend full-time contact classes. 

Early Childhood Development (ECD) in South Africa refers to an all-inclusive approach to programmes and policies for children from birth to seven years of age. Formerly with the Department of Social Development, ECD now reports to the Department of Basic Education. This move was to bridge the gap that existed and to unify the teaching professions.

Advanced Certificate in Teaching

Another offering on the South Campus under the stewardship of Dr Bawinile Mthanti, Head of Open Distance and E-Learning (ODEL) in the Faculty of Education, is the Advanced Certificate in Teaching. Previously managed by the UFS and HEPSA, ACT is now solely managed by the UFS.  Delivered in two modes, it is aimed at upgrading the qualifications of teachers who are currently employed without adequate training. This programme is an excellent opportunity to provide specialist education to teachers who need to strengthen their subject-specialisation knowledge base. 

The Advanced Certificate in Teaching is delivered in the online mode (100% online with no face-to-face contact with the lecturer) and the blended distance-learning mode (some online activity and face-to-face contact with the lecturer). Through this programme, students advance closer to a Bachelor of Education. 

With Gauteng province leading the way with the number of registered students, the ACT has had great successes and will only advance when it is offered solely in online mode from 2024. “We are currently in the process of acquiring approval in the UFS structures to offer ACT solely online from 2024,” says Dr Mthanti.  

For more information on the programmes and other Faculty of Education offerings, visit our website


News Archive

Live a drug free life
2009-05-18

 
Rev. Ruben Sokana

Our university strives to be a robust university in all aspects, including the well-being of its staff and students. Recently Selloane Phoofolo, Social Worker on our Qwaqwa Campus hosted a drug awareness campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of a healthy life style. Also included on the programme was discussion on how to equip students with the skills and support necessary to make informed decisions about their health, personal lives and social development and encourage and enable those persons who are dependent on drugs to avail of treatment with the aim of reducing dependency and improving overall health and social well being.

Speaking at this occasion were Rev. Ruben Sokana from the Anti- Drug and Alcohol Abuse Forum (Adaaf), Captain Buti John Ramoshebi and Inspector Gysbert Du Plessis from the South African Police Service, Phuthaditjhaba (Dog Unit).

Rev. Ruben addressed the students about the dangers of drug abuse. He indicated that drug abuse is a major contributor to crime, poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability, the escalation of chronic diseases such as Aids and Tuberculosis (TB), injury and premature death.

Captain Buti John and Inspector Gysbert had a discussion about the different types of drugs and the effects thereof. Amongst others they discussed sedatives, stimulants, and LCD.

For those staff members and students who were still not sure about the dangers of drug abuse, Thabo Moloi, a recovered drug addict shared his story of the struggle with a drug addiction. He strongly advised students and staff members to live a drug-free life.

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