Education students at the University of Venda will now be able to maintain the highest level of academic competency throughout their stay at the institution.

This became evident when the Department of Teacher Education, under the School of Human and Social Sciences, officially launched the Society of Education at the university’s senate chambers on Friday.

Education students introduced the Society of Education for the sole purpose of advocating matters pertaining to their educational wellbeing at the university.

Addressing education students at the packed senate chambers, the chairperson of the Univen Society of Education, Elsie Kopi, said the launch of the society is a new chapter in the educational development of the university. She said students have a common responsibility to make sure that they receive their education in a conducive environment.

Kopi added that the Univen Society of Education would fight against unjust and unfair treatment of students by fellow students, lecturers and administrators at the university. “There is a need to change the education classroom situation to an envisaged, standard conducive learning environment for both students and lecturers. We also aim to model an outcomes-based education approach to ensure practical experience to prepare ourselves for real-life situations outside the classroom.”

Kopi said the Society of Education would focus on capacity building for all students by organizing seminars, workshops and talk shows. “The seminars and talk shows will equip them with the relevant knowledge they would need in their studies and in their daily life situations. The society will also assist needy students to achieve their goals in their educational endeavors.”

Speakers from the student representative assembly, students affairs, English Department and School of Human Sciences also delivered messages of support during the function.