Two hundred and fifty six educators who completed their course in Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) at Ramaano Mbulaheni Training Centre received certificates last Friday.

According to the centre manager, Mr Samson Tshivhase, educators received certificates confirming their successful completion of the Outcomes-Based Education through a technology programme. The graduates include educators from the General Educators Training (GET) up to Further Education and Training (FET), from Grade R to 12. “We are focusing on capacity building of educators, serving educators in OBE Curriculum using information technology,” he said.

Presenting the certificates, Tshivhase said it was the centre’s duty to equip teachers with skills and technology. He encouraged educators to invest the skills in the learners at their schools throughout the Vhembe District.

“A certificate is a piece of paper that many people can obtain, but what we consider is the knowledge of what you have been taught. More teachers are interested in attending the OBE through technology courses. They are particularly keen to learn to make the best use of their available resources, and understand and implement OBE through technology, “Tshivhase said.

He further said that educators are exposed to Shoma’s three-phase learning methodology, which uses both sophisticated information technology and face-to-face workshops. He added that the Shoma Education Foundation is a MultiChoice African initiative that uses digital satellite technology to relay television and web-based learning materials, prepared in conjunction with the national and provincial Education Departments

“We need to expand the programme to the entire Limpopo by establishing projects sites. This programme started in 1999, and we have already produced more than 1 700 educators. We intend supporting those educators by conducting follow-up school visits. We consider schools as the real curriculum delivery sites. Currently, we are training 104 general educators and 25 for further education and training. This project also serves as a resource centre for educators and researchers in curriculum development and implementation,” he said.