Educators must have access to relevant training and tools

African EduWeek 2014 returns to Johannesburg as matric results continue to raise questions“Our educators are the most central element in improving the education system, and they must have access to relevant training to develop and equip their learners with the tools required to succeed in professional and further education environments.” This is according to Tanya Jackman, event director of the annual African EduWeek. She states: “In the wake of the recently published matric results, the quality of education and indeed of teachers is coming under increased scrutiny as critics cite low pass requirements (30%) and simplified exams, not educational progression, as the key determinant in the results. As 78.2% of Matric students passed, questions remain as to whether the quality of education learners receive is high enough.”“This simply has to change”African EduWeek returns to Johannesburg from 10-11 July at the Sandton International Convention Centre and this year’s theme is “Empowering teachers to deliver quality education everywhere”.  Says Tanya Jackman:  “there could not have been a clearer illustration of the need for EduWeek than the matric results we have seen, and responses we are hearing from the education community. Learners are leaving school without the necessary tools to succeed, as we see with the high dropout rates from universities and youth unemployment, and this simply has to change.”Largest platform of its kindAfrican EduWeek forms the largest meeting and trading platform of its kind on the continent for everyone who is passionate about improving the standard of education in Africa. The conference will focus on topics such as empowering teachers, strengthening school leadership, using ICT skills to enhance teaching and learning, improving FET colleges and the role of technology in the classroom.  The event also offers teachers free, practical courses to improve their classroom and technical skills.For 2014, African EduWeek has taken the bold step in remodelling the conference model to make the sessions more affordable and accessible to those who need them the most.African EduWeek website:  www.educationweek.co.za Media contact:Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: 021 7003558Mobile:  082 5627844Email:  annemarie.roodbol@clarionevents.com