MUD SCHOOL CRISIS: A DECADE OF BROKEN PROMISES (HD)
In 2004, former president Thabo Mbeki made a promise to eradicate all mud schools in the Eastern Cape, saying that "by the end of [2004], we shall ensure that there is no learner learning under a tree, [or in a] mud school." But almost a decade later, such a promise is yet to be fulfilled. A team of Rhodes Journalism School TV students set out to investigate the reasons behind the delay in the eradication process, and whether current Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga's latest promise of 2015 will not merely be another broken commitment.
The investigation takes place primarily in two districts of the Transkei, namely Dutywa and Libode. These two districts have been effected differently by the eradication process, with Libode being more prioritised than Dutywa. As the investigation uncovers various reasons for the delay in progress, such as road works, contractors, material shortages and mismanagement of funds, the department of education is attempting to fast-track the eradication process through a programme known as the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI).
Report by Tassyn Munro, Jack Kaminski and Kirsten Allnutt
BLOODHOUND SSC AT SCIFEST AFRICA (HD)
As the slogan for SciFest 2013 is “Science on the Move”, current land speed world record holder Andy Green presented the Bloodhound Supersonic Car Project at the Opening ceremony. Bloodhound, which aims to reach a speed of over 1600kmph, is set to break the record next year in the Hakskeen Pan of the Northern Cape. Until then, the Bloodhound SSC team is travelling the country in an effort to educate learners about the project, and to encourage them to study Science and Mathematics. During SciFest, Green gave a talk at a local township school in an effort to teach learners about Bloodhound. But back at Settlers Monument, where SciFest was hosted, the rest of the Bloodhound SSC team were educating other learners through a simulation of the supersonic car, as well as workshops hosted by Education Director Dave Rowley, where students were able to build and race their very own model cars of Bloodhound.
This piece thus took on an educational angle around the project, highlighting what Bloodhound SSC can teach learners around South Africa, and the world, and what impact it can have in the career choices of these students.
Filmed and Produced by
Jack Kaminski, Amaal Salie and Katja Schrieber
DISABILITY AT RHODES UNIVERSITY (HD)
International Children’s Peace Prize winner Chaeli Mycroft gave the keynote address to open Human Rights Week for Rhodes University students. Mycroft, founder of the Chaeli Campaign and an activist for people with disabilities, suffers from cerebral palsy herself, whilst still trying to make a difference in the lives of many people. Her keynote speech, which took place on 03 March, was aimed at educating Rhodes students and staff members about her work as an activist. But this news piece is intended to take a different angle and to link her current discussion on disabilities with the broader issue of disabled accessibility on Rhodes campus. During her time in Grahamstown, Chaeli attended a number of talks and interviews, with some being on the campus itself. She comments on how the ramps are not strategically placed for people in wheelchairs, and that disabled people are not prioritised when it comes to university student policies. Deputy Dean of Students Roger Adams comments on the Rhodes Policy, saying that certain clauses need to be reviewed, such as the one that states that students who become physically impaired whilst registered at Rhodes may be subject to exclusion depending on their condition.
Filmed and Produced by
Jack Kaminski, Amaal Salie and Katja Schrieber