20 March 2019| Volume 78 | Edition 1
Staff Learning Centre calls on volunteers
Source: Review Bonus
Staff learners are asking for students to assist them with their study material on weekends By Sophie Fischer
M
iddle Campus - The Staff Learning Centre in Cambria House is looking for students to help with tutorials on Saturdays. The Centre offers a part-time schooling programme for UCT Staff to get an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC) which is equivalent to the National Senior Certificate (NSC).
“The staff think that they need more time to engage with the material” The Staff Learning Centre programme is a two-year course, with three subjects per year. This year the subjects are Life Sciences, Religious Studies and Mathematical Literacy. The class consists of eighteen learners at the moment (the programme started with 27 the previous year), of which most are Xhosa speaking learners.The
learners told VARSITY that tutorials are needed for each subject, as they require a more in-depth explanation of terms as well as a general review of the material which can’t be covered in the limited time of the course itself. Akhona, one of the learners, tells us that the class sometimes struggle with definitions and terminology due to the language barrier when the material gets too specific. But mostly the staff think that they need more time to engage with the material as they haven’t been to school in years. For some, the last time they attended an educational institution was in the 1980s, and learning styles have changed substantially since. The fact that some will have dropped out at different levels before graduating adds to the unequal level in the class. The programme is free for Staff learners who complete the course, but dropping out will leave the learner potentially liable to pay the cost of the uncompleted course. According to Earle, another interviewed staff-learner.,
most learners come from townships and the Cape Flats, and have long distances to travel, as well as attend to work, private duties and the course. According to Ms. Leibrandt, the course coordinator, the lecturers support their learners as much as they can but are also limited by the time pressure regarding the amount of material they have to teach. Courses are centered around visual learning and staff learners have access to all stationery, wifi and computer labs. At the moment the Staff learners are assisted by an undergraduate first-year student in one subject. The learners tell VARSITY that they fear that when the student has got her own assignments to do, they won’t have any help. This is especially a concern in light of the learners’ upcoming exams in May. The Staff learners are very ambitious and have caught visions for their future throughout the course. Some of the learners even take additional
programmes like computer skills, Ms. Leibrandt, the person who spearheaded the programme, tells us.
“The Staff learners suggested that rotating working circles would benefit staff learners and students” The Staff learners suggested that rotating working circles would benefit staff learners and students. It would ensure regular help for the Staff learners as well as easing the time burden on the undergraduate students. Interested students who want to offer help can come to Cambria house on Middle Campus and meet the learners from Monday to Friday in their break between 5-5.30pm. Regarding the staff learners, tutorials on Saturdays would suit them best.