SACAI Newsletter
December 2022
Coffee with Keith
Keith Maseko – CEO of SACAI
A YEAR TO CELEBRATE
The conclusion of the ABET and NSC October/November examinations signals the end of the year. This provides the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the year in the rear-view mirror as well as the road ahead. 2022 can be categorised as having highs and lows, achieving full accreditation on one side, and saying goodbye to our long-serving staff members who decided to explore other prospects. In an addition to this adjustment, the passing away of our vice-chairperson Mr Carel Krige shook my foundation. Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
I have had to take a road of humility to learn, unlearn, and relearn. This process of intellectual dexterity requires deductive and inductive thinking across all spheres, both on a professional and personal level. Unlearning was probably the most uncomfortable process out of the three. It was not only the acceptance and responsibility of the mistakes made but also being open to the changes required to improve in addressing these mistakes. Relearning then taught me, mistakes do not need to be fatal, and successes are not final.
Change being constant and inevitable, it was unsettling. 2022 has made SACAI come out of its comfort zones of having to do certain things in a certain way. 2022 required SACAI to deal with new stakeholders, administer full examinations in May/June for both ABET and NSC and deal with additional learner registration numbers in comparison to the previous years. The shopping list for next year is a long one – saturated with improvements put forward by Umalusi through their directives, concerns, and areas of improvement. Moreover, SACAI will use the survey feedback reports from the client surveys contacted among ABET and NSC stakeholders.
If change is inevitable, I call upon the SACAI team and our stakeholders to join me in the change process that is crucial for SACAI to adequately contribute to the education sector and serve the nation with pride. Join me on a road that is bumpy but fruitful for all stakeholders, join me on a journey that requires patience, excellence, and consequence management if accountability is nowhere in sight. Join me on a narrow path that is paved with integrity, professionalism, and acceptance of all learners in our country. This path will surely promote credibility when administering assessments and examinations for our learners that look up to us for fair and reliable education processes.
In summary and on a collective SACAI footing, key lessons that we have learnt in 2022, were:
- A winner is a dreamer that never gives up (Nelson Mandela). SACAI was born from a dream – individuals who saw the need for an examination body that would address the needs of the education system in South Africa. The dreamers grew in number with individuals who believed in the future of South Africa. After a lengthy process of application for Umalusi accreditation, SACAI was rewarded with full accreditation this year. This is a major achievement for an examination body. We know that our clients share in our excitement and our dreams for the future and therefore, celebrate this achievement with SACAI. I would like to thank every client, invigilator, examiner, moderator, teacher/tutor and candidate who has supported SACAI for their continued faith in the SACAI dream.
- To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often (Winston Churchill). This year several changes happened at SACAI. We had to greet some of the SACAI family members that you have known for several years. We also had to welcome new members to our staff component. Although we were saddened by those who have left, we are optimistically looking forward to the renewal which is brought about by change.
- It is not the challenge that defines you, it is what you do with it (Sharon Pearson) As in any year we experienced challenges, but the clients and staff of SACAI rose to the challenge, attempting new and exciting solutions to growth opportunities and learning from every opportunity. It also provided the opportunity to reflect on practices and policies which were adapted to align with the values of SACAI.
I appreciate the stakeholders that put their trust and faith in SACAI in 2022. I would also like to acknowledge the SACAI Council that took an assertive stand with me but also a human-centric approach of putting staff wellness in the front seat.
I am grateful to have been supported by a SACAI team that responded to the changes within the organization. This required long hours, dealing with many queries and requests from various SACAI clientele.
In this period of much-needed reflection, my wish for you is that you will take time to be with your loved ones which keeps us grounded during a hectic year, allow for a little excitement and a full complement of relaxation, and just slow down and reflect on the year ahead, but also the year behind and find the one lesson you have learnt.
Full Accreditation Gala Dinner
SACAI received their full accreditation from Umalusi to assess the ABET- and NSC qualifications as of 1 October 2022. We thought it befitting to celebrate in style and to thank all the stakeholders who had assisted us to be awarded full accreditation. Mr Maseko thanked and acknowledged everyone that, through their deep commitment to and innovative efforts towards SACAI, assisted in continuously adapting and improving, and meeting every challenge successfully as we move forward. He acknowledged them for their highly valued contributions and for creating a new vision that will guide us towards the future. SACAI grew and prospered because of its dedication and hard work towards reaching its goals. Our stakeholders were and are a vital part of the SACAI success story.
SACAI Council members
FLTR: Dr Louis Swanepoel, Mr Adam Dobson, Dr Huw Davies, Ms Jackie Caroll, Mr Keith Maseko, Ms Louise Lemmer and Mr Stefan Botha
The SACAI staff
FLTR: Front: Ms Emily Moloi, Ms Adele J van Vuuren, Mr KN Maseko, Ms Chipo Chibaya, Ms Ronel Smart. FLTR: Back: Ms Mické van der Westhuizen, Ms Lerato Banda, Mr Frans Nchabeleng, Ms Keitumetse Molefe, Ms Theo Mashazi, Ms Emily Mokhoema, Mr Faizel Mahlangu, Ms Morakane Rakimane and Ms Tshegofatjo Machaba.
SACAI's reaction to the online school comments
City Press and Rapport carried an article on 27 and 28 November commenting on the status of online schools in South Africa. SACAI felt obligated to respond and set the record straight on some issues. We also wrote an opinion piece for Rapport (4 December 2022). SACAI highlighted the difference between online distance education providers and home schools and stated the importance of parents’ and learners’ roles in the success of these types of education.
It is important to realise that online schooling in South Africa is here to stay. This is because online schooling in South Africa has only taken shape in the past 24 – 36 months. The research Rapport is referring to, might therefore be premature. This research would be more reliable should it be done for online schooling from lower grades up until Grade 12.
SACAI is aware that the drop-out rate of learners in conventional schools is already high. One concern is that the research, younger than 24 months, was quoted and might not be reliable due to the COVID-circumstances, it also cannot be compared with previous years in similar situations. SACAI agrees that there is a need for further research to eventually compare the GET phase (grade R – 9) and the FET phase (grade 10-12) for online- and distance learning. These two sectors need to be separated as there is a huge age variation as mentioned by Emma Wilkinson (in the article), an educational phycologist. This includes the age and maturity of the learners, the concessions required for such learners as well as inadequate space in conventional brick-and-mortar schools. There will be dropout learners with online schooling, just as there are with conventional brick-and-mortar schools.
SACAI welcomes the update that as of January 2023, registration guidelines for online schools will be put into place by the Department of Basic Education. This will not only regulate the delivery of online education but also offer an alternative for learners who cannot be accommodated in mainstream schooling, learners that require concessions and those that cannot find space in brick-and-mortar schools. The guidelines, when released, will promote the delivery of quality education for learners enrolled in online schools.
Therefore, SACAI is concerned and supports the apprehension that there is no provision for online schools in the Bela Bill. SACAI has also contributed comments on the Bela Bill in this regard.
ASSISTANCE FOR GRADES R TO 9
250 000 school-going children drop out of school every year. This figure tripled to 750 000 during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.matric.co.za/south-africas-devastating-school-drop-out-rate/
It is important to note that some of the online institutions also cater for learners from grade R to grade 12. SACAI only operates in the FET phase, grades 10 to 12, to assist learners in eventually obtaining their National Senior Certificate. SACAI agrees that there needs to be some form of online school regulation for the lower grades to ensure that learners are optimally prepared for the higher grades.
SACAI would like to work with stakeholders, to ensure that online schools be registered with the Department of Basic Education and accredited with Umalusi. In the GET phase (Grades R to 9). SACAI would like to engage with the principals of online schools on how to best support learners academically and how to acquire social skills and explore other avenues. SACAI agrees that online education requires additional research, and we need to be able to evaluate whether learners can cope with this type of education delivery.
Educational institutions also need to identify subjects that learners struggle with. This will require face-to-face tutoring for those learners.
FUTURE SUPPORT
SACAI is looking into the possibility of supporting the lower grades (grades R – 9) with their assessments, registration with the Department of Education and accreditation with Umalusi. These assessments for online schools will be conducted at grades 3, 6 and 9 which should prepare online learners for the higher grades. SACAI is more than prepared to share and collaborate with the Department of Education pertaining to the statistics of assessment performance for these lower grades. Like every other SACAI sector that faces challenges, SACAI believes that these challenges of online schools can be tackled head-on with great minds leading to a seamless transition from conventional schooling to online schooling and vice versa.
Let us know what your thoughts on the matter are. Send them to communication@sacai.org.za
Read the article here: https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/menings/aanlyn-skole-is-nie-soos-die-wilde-weste-20221204
Meet SACAI's newcomers
Maryna Besseling
NSC Department: Head
Maryna was appointed on 1 December 2022 as the Head of the NSC Department. According to her, she has the privilege to work with a fabulous team in steering the examination cycle for the National Senior Certificate at SACAI. She is enjoying the challenge to ensure that processes and procedures are in place to provide clients with an efficient and smooth NSC experience in 2023. Her motto is: “Proper planning prevents poor performance” and “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got”. Therefore, Maryna says, renewal is necessary.
She holds an Honours degree in both languages and educational psychology. She has been part of the education system since 2000 in various positions. She was employed by the SAOU and from 2019 she was the Head of Professional Services. She served on four ministerial task teams, as well as on the Schooling Chamber of the ETDP SETA, and have observed Umalusi Standardisation processes since 2010. She currently serves on the board of the Afrikaanse Taal Raad. She is an expert in training, curriculum, assessment and exams.
Maryna describes herself as a farm girl with a professional, efficient and direct streak. She loves to cook, lounge around at home, spend time with her family, reading or travelling. At present, she is trying not to be a serial orchid- and house plant killer but has not succeeded yet.
Tshegofatjo Machaba
NSC Department: Coordinator: Examination Material Development
Tshego is the Coordinator: Material Development at the NSC Department. She enjoys interacting with different stakeholders and the process of question paper development. She has a myriad of new and innovative ideas. Tshego is currently studying towards her Masters in Business Administration when she is not looking after her eight children. She loves spending time with her family.
Mické van der Westhuizen
NSC Depertment: Coordinator: SBA Moderation, SBA Tasks & Concessions
Mické is the Coordinator: SBA Moderation and Concessions for the NSC Department. Before SACAI, she was a teacher for 12 years, teaching English HL & FAL for grades 4-7. She obtained her B. Ed degree in 2013, and from then has completed her B.Ed Honours in Educational Management, Law and Policy, a Mini-MBA in School Management, as well as her Masters degree in Education. Her dissertation topic discussed the difference between part-time and full-time teacher education programmes.
She is currently a second-year PhD candidate, also in Humanities Education. She is a huge Potter-head (Harry Potter fan), and quite a good golf player. Most of her free time is spent on her PhD. But besides that, she loves spending time with her husband, watching series and documentaries or travelling. She also values time with her friends and family.
Frans Nchabeleng
ABET Department: Temp Administrative Assistant
Frans currently assists the Head of the ABET Department (Chipo) with administrative tasks and reports. He enjoys working on reports and interacting with clients. He graduated with a B.Com Degree in Business Management (Marketing & Strategic Management), from Unisa. He is a family man and is planning on getting a big dog that will not bite him or his visitors.
Emily Mokhoema
NSC Department: Administrative Assistant
Emmie is an Administrative Assistant for the NSC Department. She loves her job because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the goals at SACAI. According to her this truly creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. She completed her B.Tech in Management at the Tshwane University of Technology. Emmie loves spending time with family, assisting her children with their homework, loves to play games and loves travelling – especially to nature reserves.
