TRIPLE E TRAINING HOLDINGS

Big business in South Africa has committed itself to the principles of adult basic education and training. This commitment has had a concrete effect with many adults who had been denied a quality education under the Apartheid system now having at least a basic working knowledge of both the written word and mathematics. These basic skills are allowing them to improve their lives in ways that they might have only dreamed about only a few years ago. However, the commitment of both big business and government must continue, the problem of illiteracy is by no means solved and only by rolling out new, more comprehensive programs can we hope to deal with this problem.

If South Africa is to take its place in the family of nations and contribute on a global scale to the elimination of poverty, as well as address the social and economic needs of its own citizens then it quite simply must address the problem of illiteracy in this country. One of the most important outreaches that can be rolled out is adult basic education. By putting in place the correct infrastructure and allowing people access to funding so that they can take part in ABET programs the government and private business will be directly contributing to rectifying the wrongs of the past, where a large percentage of the South African population was denied a quality education.

Just imagine for a moment not being able to read. Our entire society is based on the premise that each and every person will receive an education and will be able to read and write. We live in a fast paced technological world where there is little to no place for a person who is uneducated. The problem that we are faced with is that most illiterate people are adults who are too old to attend school and these people probably earn at best a minimum wage, which means they do not have the means to educate themselves. There are many ways in which you can help to alleviate this problem, such as financing a person in need of basic education or becoming an Adult Basic Education and Training facilitator. Find out how you can help today and help fight illiteracy in South Africa.

The numbers of Adult Basic Education and Training centres in South Africa are expanding at a rapid rate. This is due not only to the high amount of illiterate or uneducated people in South Africa but also to the growing realisation of how important education is by individuals and big business alike. It is imperative that every person in South Africa be educated or become involved in the education of a fellow countryman. Although the illiteracy rate is steadily declining, it is fact that our education system is failing many new learners and that they may one day need the support of an Adult Education and Training Programme. Make sure that you are doing your bit to make South Africa and all its’ people achieve the best potential that they are able to.

Although it is possible for an illiterate person to apply to UNISA for a correspondence course in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET), there are some things that just cannot be learnt without a teacher. ABET is aimed at providing people with skills in literacy and numeracy from the grade 1 level right through to matric and is based on having a facilitator assist the learners in achieving reading, writing and basic mathematic skills. An individual who is totally illiterate will need the assistance of the facilitator to learn to read and count at the most basic levels to be able to continue to the higher levels of the ABET programme.

The Kha Ri Gude (Let US Learn) mass literacy campaign was officially launched in February of 2008. The campaign is aimed at providing the illiterate population of South Africa with basic literacy skills on a mass basis to eliminate the enormous illiteracy problem in South Africa. Although the plan is mainly aimed at rural and previously disadvantaged population groups, the illiterate workforce is also of main concern. However, in the case of the illiterate workforce, the campaign was aimed at the employers and big business to enforce the fact that a literate and educated work force will add value to any business. It is of the greatest importance that corporate companies and big business become involved in the education of all South Africans.

When choosing a course to provide your employees with Adult Basic Education and Training, it is important to ensure that the course meets with the standards of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF was established to ensure that all education institutions and programmes in South Africa meet the same standard to ensure that all persons in possession of a certificate are equally trained. This standard is vital to learners who would like to further their education as any tertiary education facility will require a standard certification before reviewing a learner for application to the facility. So make sure that you provide the best standard of education to you employees when you choose and education or training course for them to attend.

If you would like to assist your work force in improving their literacy and basic mathematics skills, enquire about the Adult Basic Education and Training programme. The course does have a cost attached as the facilitator must be compensated for his or her services and the costs of the course material must be covered. There is also an examination fee that must be paid at the end of each level so that the learners can receive their certificates. All these cost may be too high for you to be able to cover the cost for your entire workforce and low income earners may not be able to contribute to the cost. In such a case you can apply to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to assist you in giving your staff the gift of an education.

Umalusi is responsible for assuring that the level of assessment of learners attending Adult Basic Education and Training are of a national standard. It also ensures that the examinations at the end of each level are dealt with in line with the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act of 2001. The learner will also be assessed by Umalusi if they have failed the examination and proof of evidence will be submitted to the council. It is up to the facilitator to ensure that the learner is ready to take the examination and POE is there to determine whether the learner was sufficiently educated upon examination. No matter which process determines the knowledge of the learner, a certificate will be issued by Umalusi at the end of each level.

It is important to ensure that facilitator you choose to offer your employees Adult Basic Education and Training is registered with Umalusi. Umalusi is the council for quality insurance in general and further education and training. It is responsible for accrediting public education and training providers to and monitoring and report on these providers to ensure that they are delivering excellence in their field. This monitoring and reporting process will ensure that your employees will receive the best education and training available. Should there be any problems regarding the facilitator you would be able to report the problem to the council and have the problem solved or perhaps have a new facilitator recommended to you.