theTeacher offers hottest topics in education sector pertinent to educators

theTeacher offers the most in-depth, incisive analysis and up-to-date coverage of the South African teaching industry today. 2010 has been a tough year for schools and it aims at providing solutions to the problems facing teachers today.

Editor Primarashni Gower is available for interviews on these topics to encourage critical discussions on the issues that matter most in teaching in South Africa now. Herewith is a sneak-peek into the topics that will be covered in the next edition in November.

South Africa's new National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU):

NEEDU aims to assess teaching and the running of schools as previous evaluation mechanisms failed because they lacked teacher union support and did not focus on teacher development.

Respected educationist, Dr John Volmink, heads the new organisation, which will be independent of the Department of Basic Education.

Mpumalanga's matric exam process strengthened:

The crack team from the national department of basic education has put in several mechanisms to strengthen Mpumalanga's matric exam process. However, about 50 provincial exam officials are earning about R5 million a month for doing nothing. They are to be redeployed to other departments after being suspended earlier this year. This province has a history of matric exam irregularities.

Intelligent spending over the festive season:

The festive season is just weeks away and there are temptations to blow one's salary on gifts and unnecessary items, just because they are being advertised cheaply. How do you budget carefully this festive season so that you do not struggle in January to buy school uniforms and basic necessities?

Animal cruelty and the effects on children:

Latest research suggests that animal abuse has a knock-on effect that puts children at risk of being affected by potentially disabling disorders that include impaired learning ability and depression. Research shows that when we, as adults, disrespect, neglect, abuse or harm an animal, we are unknowingly guiding children onto a slippery slope that can ultimately affect their mental health. The process begins with desensitisation or loss of feeling, whereby children become able to witness the neglect, hurting, harming or killing of an animal and yet remain indifferent.

theTeacher is the sister publication to the Mail&Guardian newspaper. It goes out to teachers across South Africa and is distributed to 26 000 schools. Approximately 100 000 copies are produced monthly. theTeacher is a market-leader in the education industry and is especially targeted at educators.

To request an interview to discuss these topics, please contact:

Nabila Mayet Media Liaison Stone Soup PR Tel: (011) 447 7241 Mobile: (082) 266 3957 Email: [email protected] To unsubscribe email [email protected]