The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform is committed to equip not only the farmers with practical agriculture training and skills but also targets agriculture science educators so that can be able to articulate the subject to the learners.
A tender has been advertised for the teaching of educators, with the aim of finding service providers in a bid to impact on the improvement of skills and knowledge base that will directly contribute in capacity building and enhancement of the sector’s image.
The department feels that in order to sustain food security in the province, education and training should start at the school level and this should be realised by equipping educators with the practical and latest developments in the sector.
The training of teachers will not only instil motivation and positive attitude towards the subject but will also benefit them with close knowledge of the subject and close the gaps that are experienced currently, like lack of practical knowhow among the teachers.
The end result of the training will inspire positive attitude and passion for the subject and learners with interest in agriculture will be easily identified at an early stage so that the sector can address the problem of the shortage of critical skills.
Since the inception of training drive in 2009 by taking 50 educators to the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, the department has trained 400 educators across the length and length of the province sending them to Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry College and Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institution.
The department is also engaged in agricultural science road shows and summits in the province to engage pupils and successful 4-H Clubs initiatives, which encourage and help schools to form their own gardens has also instilled the passion of pupils in the subject.
Since the campaign of engaging teachers and pupils in agriculture activities, most universities have reported higher enrolment in agricultural studies and educators have shown encouragement in the subject since the exposure to the trainings.
The department is delighted that more requests for follow-up training have been received and that more schools are opting to re-introduce agricultural curriculum offerings or extending their curricula or even change schools to be agriculture institutions.
At least 175 educators are targeted to be training in the Alfred Nzo, Cacadu and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities during the September holidays – other districts have also been benefitted.
For more information contact:
Ayabulela Ngoqo
Cell: 071 603 3235
