Event location:
Event date and time: 06/06/2022 11:35:11
There have been numerous requests over the years from in-service teachers, who do not yet have the requisite teacher qualifications, to the Faculty of Education at the Nelson Mandela University for the implementation of a PGCE part-time programme. It is with this in mind that the HOD, Dr Heloise Sathorar, and her Secondary School Education team explored the possibility of offering such a qualification. This led to the launch of the PGCE part-time programme.
The launch was held on the 6th of June 2022 at the North Campus Conference Centre and was well attended. Amongst the attendees were representatives of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), representatives of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), representatives of the South African Council for Educators (SACE), Faculty of Education staff members, staff members from other Faculties within Nelson Mandela University, representatives from partner schools, alumni and potential PGCE part-time students. Dr Tulsi Morar (Deputy Dean of the Faculty) served as the programme co-ordinator for the event.
Speakers at the launch included Professor Sibongile Muthwa (Vice Chancellor - Nelson Mandela University) who delivered the opening address, Dr Muki Moeng (the Dean of the Faculty of Education), Ms Michelle Matthey (Director of Teacher Education - Department of Higher Education and Training) and Professor Jonathan Janssen (Distinguished Professor in Education – Stellenbosch University). Although there was a general mood of optimism and excitement around the implementation of the programme, Professor Jansen expressed a cautionary note on the importance of ensuring that the programme is set at a high standard, and that it empowers teachers with the requisite skills, knowledge, values and attitudes, given the enormous education challenges confronted by the Eastern Cape Province.
From left to right. Dr Heloise Sathorar (Head of Department: SSE), Ms Michelle Mathey (DHET), Dr Muki Moeng (Executive Dean, Faculty of Education), Dr Tulsi Morar (Deputy Dean, Faculty of Education), Professor Sibongile Muthwa (VC, Nelson Mandela University), Ms Bongekile Mathebula (DHET) and Ms Chulekazi Bula, EC DoE.
One of the highlights of the launch was the showcasing of the PGCE Part-time programme by means of a short video that was conceptualised by Dr Sathorar and Dr Badroen Ismail, and was co-ordinated and produced by Mr Bruce Gordon (IT support in the Faculty) and Mr Thato Moshesh, B.Ed (FET) alumnus. In her vote of thanks at the close of the event, Professor Cheryl Foxcroft (DVC – Learning and Teaching – Nelson Mandela University) lauded all those who assisted in making the event such a wonderful success.
In keeping with the Faculty of Education’s mission to include the wider community in its activities and events, the launch included musical items by a the Tendai D. marimba band, several musical items presented by the Mary Mount Secondary School choir from Kariega (under the direction of Mr Rufus Maclean), and a jazz performance by Mr Dean Saunders, one of the current PGCE full-time Music students. All those who attended agreed that the launch was a great success and expressed the hope that the programme would develop from its initial part time offering to become a fully online, distance learning opportunity so that it could cater to the needs of students from across the globe.
The PGCE part-time programme will be offered over two years from 2023 onwards, with lectures taking place in the late afternoons from a Monday to a Thursday. Below is the layout of the programme as well as the subject specialisations that will be offered on the programme:
Subject Specilisations
For more details about the programme you can visit the university website on www.mandela.ac.za