Education

What is a fair trial according to the European Court on Human Rights?
Mihloti Basil Sherinda
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Oct 19, 2021

This brief discusses the right to fair trial in light of the contemporary debate on the definition of a ‘trial’. It considers the matter from an international perspective, particularly in terms of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as interpreted by the European Court on Human Rights. Fair trial rights are divided into civil and criminal. The brief argues that the right to a fair trial requires a competent tribunal to adjudicate a matter with fairness and natural justice.

The Covid-19 Epidemic And Primary School Education II – The Impact On Learning Outcomes
Mihloti Basil Sherinda
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Aug 24, 2021

This is the second of three briefs discussing the delivery of primary education during covid-19, primarily in Quantile 1 to 3 in schools. The previous brief pointed out the unpredictability of the virus and its impact on school contact time. In this brief, we look at the impact on learning outcomes and consider the possible effect of the rollout of the vaccine.

The Covid-19 Epidemic And Primary School Education I – Priorities
Mihloti Basil Sherinda
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Aug 24, 2021

This is the first of three briefs discussing the delivery of primary school education during Covid-19, concentrating on Quantile 1 to 3 schools. These briefs emphasise two points: the first is the need to prioritise safety in schools in relation to the spread of the infection and the second is to prioritise the importance of learning over other school activities.

THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION’S THREE STREAM POLICY
Charles Simkins
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Jan 17, 2017

This brief outlines recent proposals from the Department of Basic Education on adding a third skills and vocational stream to the school system. Details have yet to be worked out, and the process will not be easy, but it is clear already that the third stream will have implications for currently uniform Grade 1 to Grade 9 education.

IS THE PROPORTION OF MATRICULANTS WITH POST-MATRIC QUALIFICATIONS DECLINING?
Charles Simkins
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Jan 17, 2017

He [the Statistical General] said parents were better skilled compared with their children, arguably owing to changes in the education system after 1994. “What we know is that the nursing schools, the teacher training schools and where people used to do trades, [those] schools were closed and they were converted into part of the university system. The net result has been they, those who are 15 to 34, do not have the skills of their parents, so hence the skills crisis, in part, in the country.” – Mail and Guardian, 18 June 2014

STRAIT IS THE GATE THE MATRIC CONUNDRUM I – THE SYSTEM
Charles Simkins
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Jan 12, 2017

This brief is the first in a series which will discuss the circumstances in which young people live. Some briefs will be supported by technical reports which set out additional detailed information for those interested in it. The first brief will consider the objectives and the extensive structure of the National Senior Certificate system. The second will deal with published information on National Senior Certificate outcomes.

THE UNIVERSITY CATTLE KILLING I - THE EXTENT
Charles Simkins and Anele Mtwesi
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Nov 02, 2016

This is the first of three briefs on the unrest in universities. It deals with its extent and costs. The second deals with the economic and fiscal context within which university and student financing has to be considered. The third deals with prospects for resolution.

THE UNIVERSITY CATTLE KILLING II - THE ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CONTEXT
Charles Simkins
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Nov 02, 2016

The first brief in this series discussed the extent and costs of the recent unrest in universities. This brief describes the economic and fiscal context within which student and university financing has to be considered. The final brief will deal with prospects for resolution.

THE UNIVERSITY CATTLE KILLING III - THE PROSPECTS
Charles Simkins
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Nov 02, 2016

The first brief in this series discussed the extent and cost of the unrest in universities. The second described the economic and fiscal context within which university and student financing has to be considered. This brief deals with the prospects for resolution.

OPTIONS FOR IMPROVED FINANCING OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Charles Simkins
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Nov 10, 2015

The first two briefs in this series were entitled “Principles of Student Financing 101” and “The University Funding System”. The second brief identified two things which need to be done immediately. This brief sets out options for consideration in the longer term.

The University Funding System
Anele Mtwesi
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Nov 05, 2015

This brief is the second in a series on university finance. The first was titled “Principles of student financing 101” and it can be found on the HSF website (www.hsf.org.za). This brief sets out the structure of university funding and considers the rising cost of university education to students as a whole.

What is the Gauteng Department of Education smoking?
Charles Simkins
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Jul 21, 2014

City Press reported on 29 June [1] and IOL reported on 10 July 2014 [2] that the Gauteng MEC for education, Panyaza Lesufi, plans to merge former Model C schools with township schools. This is new. The Gauteng Department is smoking. The HSF has observed the smoke signal and we are trying to interpret it. In our efforts, we have posed ourselves the following questions:

Rivonia Primary School Case
Sarah Tobin
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Oct 17, 2013

This brief provides a breakdown of the events leading up to the Rivonia Primary School case and a brief analysis on what the outcome of the case means for schools. 17 October 2013

The NDP’s vision on Education
Zamambo Twalo
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Sep 06, 2013

This brief examines the National Development Plan’s (NDP) vision and policy proposals on the reform of the education sector in South Africa.

The Right to Basic Education
Anele Mtwesi
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Apr 25, 2013

It is widely accepted that education plays a vital role in lifting people out of poverty, empowering women and children, and promoting human rights and democracy. This brief aims to define the right to basic education in South Africa