Reviews of my Website

Viewers of my website  http://jeromesmit.weebly.com/ can make entries for review here.

Thanks

Jerome

Is the belt really a better option ?

We are the unfortunate generation.(25-99) When we grew up and caused trouble we got a good hiding. We grew up fearing the belt and our parents . I still hear many saying "they don't make children like they used to." What makes our case even more unfortunate is that we are raising children who are aware of their human right not to recieve a hiding and any harshness from parents or teachers has children (both at home and at school) crying "abuse!!". After reading Abeys blog on spanking I thought to myself,. "Is the belt really a better option ?" Most parents and educators alike would now be screaming out Yes at the top of their voices.



Based on past experiences I would say Yes and no. Why?

Yes, because if we use the belt on rare occasions with the proper reasons and intentions in mind, the belt can be quite effective. No, because if we give the child the idea that he/she is recieving a ;lashing based more on our rage than their misdemeanour, then a belting can be quite harmful. Especially in the case of repeat offenders. Learners or our very own children can become rebelious. Neither our word or our deeds can then be considered as corrective action in their eyes.



Please make comments on your views regarding the belt.



Thank you

Temporary Teacher get the BOOT

The recent post establishment revealed that some schools were in excess and others grew by a post/s. In order to ensure that permanent teachers in excess get work temporary teachers will have their contracts terminated as at the 31st of December 2009. What makes matters worst is the fact the Funda Lushaka students have priority over temporary teachers.The very cure for the low educator numbers is ironically now used to worsen the situation. Is this the ideal way for teachers to be rewarded at the end of the year especially during the festive period. For this reasons I am not surprised that educators flock away from the education field.


I pray that the department will finally get things right, if not for us then for the sake of our children.

SANDF have got their bosses listening!!!!

I'm sure that many citizens are apalled by the recent strike by members of the SANDF. I too feel that it doesn't paint a good picture about the happenings in S.A. However, I would like to use this oppurtunity to discuss our very own desperate and frustrating circumstances. Mandla and Albina started the ball rolling and I feel that I need to add in my perspective to the current situation.

I feel that as teachers we don't have the respect of our bosses. We don't have the neccesary instruments to make them listen.(Chalk is not doing the trick.) I've mentioned before that healthworkers can close hospitals, Traffic Officers can close down Highways. We can close the schools, but what good does that do us. The only grunts we get come from parents who don't want children messing the house and being a nuisance to them. When we return from striking we sit with more loads of paperwork to contend with and our miserly pay gets docked (Aina!!).

Our efforts are so pathetic that a salary increase that should have been completed by the 1 July 2009 is still being negotiated on the 1st September 2009. What can we do ??? We are being taken for MOEGOES !!!

It's just not fair.

Please comment I look forward to hearing from You.

The Caster Semenya case has certainly been a big talk. Please view the following cartoon by Shapiro and add in your views . Do you think that politicians are being opitunistic or just doing their jobs. I personally feel that politicians should use lessons learnt from this saga to help build a nation. There are many other Semenya's out there. Children who don't have proper access to oppurtunities. Give Caster a break, she deserves it!!!

Can ICT cure our ailing Education System ?

I have a  saying that states " You won't start doing something right if you don't know where you going wrong." What's wrong ? Well recently the Zuma administration in their bid to move towards a more progressive Goverment which focusses on the people have highlighted areas that needs attention.

Within the spheres of Education we have to improve literacy and numeracy skills drastically if we wish to advance as a nation. Learners entering tertiary institutions sometimes lack the basic skills of comprehension and find the going hard. Now I can say we know where we going wrong but how do we get it right. The introduction of Foundations For Learning is having sporadic success but then again we can argue that it is better to try and fail than not to try at all. Optimistically, we can learn from our mistakes. 

How quickly we learn still remains the question ? This is where I would like to mention that a cure exist in the use of ICT as a tool to improve learning. Like with any tool , it is only as good as the user and the frequency of use. ICT can link S.A teachers up with educators overseas, it can be used as a media tool in classrooms and the valuable teaching resources is always a plus.

Maybe you may have varying views with regard to the use of technology. I look forward to reading them.

Caster Semenya is a True Hero

The recent controversy surrounding gender testing for our prolific athlete Caster Semenya has created worldwide speculation. Like with all speculation it can either attract positive or negative reactions and there is always bound to be a lesson learnt by all.

Quite frankly I personally am distgusted with the IAAF's stance on the matter and I strongly feel that an apology needs to be made , firstly to Caster and then to South Africa. Caster on the other deserves every bit of praise and admiration for HER bravery and single mindedness which won her the 800m gold medal. I can't wait for this athlete to take the stage at the Olympic Games and win a few or more Gold Medals. What an example SHE has been to all South Africans and I can only envisage a positive outcome in S.A athletics due bto HER efforts. Obviously this saga has got you all talking and I cant wait to read your reactions.