BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!!! Just weeks ago political head and newly appointed sedulous Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane made a pronouncement at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature during his Budget Vote speech that one of his dozens priorities is to roll out schools of Specialisation especially in the townships.
At the time, He said, “A new era is ushered in with the introduction of a new type of public school– the School of Specialisation. These schools will assist in addressing critical skills shortages in Gauteng and in South Africa at large.”
He is also on record arguing that The Department is rolling out 35 Schools of Specialisation before the end of the 2024 financial year.
“To date 22 schools of specialisation have been officially opened. In the 2023/24 financial year the Department will spend R291 million on the resourcing of Schools of Specialisation and an additional R60,7 million TSS-RG grant on expansion of the technical high school programme,” He said.
Fast-foward, Chiloane has just began fulfilling one of his promises and a poetic justice mission. This week this publication witnessed the launch of another School of Specialisation in Soweto.
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MEC CHILOANE LAUNCHES ALL GIRLS MEDIA SCHOOL IN SOWETO
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, launched Letsibogo Girls Maths, Science & ICT School of Specialisation (SoS) with a focus on Media and Communication in Meadowlands, Soweto.
Letsibogo Girls Maths Science & ICT School of Specialisation, a girls-only black township school located in the heart of Soweto has been a school of choice for many girls from underprivileged backgrounds, some of whom are from the nearby hostels. Consistent with the Gauteng Government’s political program of improving the living standards in townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH), we will proceed unhindered to launch more of our SOS’s in TISH areas.
Furthermore, the design, types, and location of each School of Specialisation will closely link to and support the 5 economic development corridors set out in the Province as part of the Transformation, Modernization, and Reindustrialization of the province.
Letsibogo Girls School of Specialisation will focus on Media and Communication. We are living at a time when digital technologies have essentially permeated all sectors of the economy to the extent of shaping the very texture of our everyday lives. The establishment of such an SOS, located in the broader context of a country, whose skills development landscape need to abruptly change.
In line with the development corridors, the location and curriculum emphasis present here is influenced by the specialty of the corridor. For instance, Central Development Corridor is most suitable to establish a school specializing in media and communication, as the financial hub of the province and communication is essential.
The significance of communication and media cannot be overemphasized. Media messages convey important influences and information. Print media, TV and radio and to a larger extent, social media are all important sources of basic information about other people and other places. This can help engender understanding if presented in a fair, even-handed and non-inflammatory way.
Secondly, is the very source of mass communication. Media plays the most informative role in our society and very integral in mass communication. It has various forms, such as the internet, through which we can get updated news about the world in our grab just with a click of a finger.
In our daily life, communication helps us build relationships by allowing us to share our experiences, and needs, and helps us connect to others. It’s the essence of life, allowing us to express feelings, pass on information and share thoughts. We all need to communicate.
How we live, work, and interact with each other continues to evolve in ways that require an audience that is alive to both opportunities and risks associated with the digital revolution.
The rationale behind the focus, is to expose learners to media and communication beyond just the usage of social media. We are not discounting social media as it has its role in sharing information and influencing people around the globe. It is important for learners to become acquainted with the pros and cons of the media and of communication. They need exposure to the arena of media and communication to become the next generation of reporters, journalists, and presenters. The grooming starts here and now.
Through our progressive program of reorganization of schools, we are training capable citizens who will enable our Province and the country to stay ahead of the curve and predict change in time to seize the opportunities ahead.
Indeed, what distinguishes the 4IR front from the previous three industrial revolutions is, amongst other things, the computing power and reach of ongoing technological breakthroughs which have no precedent. From Artificial Intelligence applications, Robotics, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing etc, the digital transformation era requires an agile and dynamic population that is able to see developmental opportunities in time to make the most out of them.
This is the 2nd school to be launched this year, but also the 23rd School of Specialisation to be launched. What a milestone! We wish all the learners the best as they get an opportunity to showcase their talents and receive high level quality education in their doorstep.
For more information, contact the Gauteng Department of Education’s Spokesperson, Steve Mabona on 072 574 3860.
For more updates regarding GDE related news and information, follow us on our website and social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/gautengeducation
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