05 Oct 2015

Education offered at Serowe Institute of Health Sciences must be able to help graduates secure employment and make them globally competitive, says Central District Council chairperson, Mr Peter Williams.

Speaking at the first academic award giving ceremony at the institution recently, Mr Williams said what was important was for graduates to exit training institutions with ‘fit for purpose’ skills which would make them relevant and sought after by health industry.

“The student’s ability to apply high-rigour knowledge in a relevant, real world setting has become an afterthought even though it needs to be the true starting point,” he said.

He added that there was a need to reverse roles for graduates to succeed and maintain employment in the competitive health industry.

The CDC chairperson said despite ongoing efforts of educators and communities to improve schools, changing nature of work, technology and competition in the global job market had put a strain on what education system provides for students.

He observed that in the wake of present developments in the education system, it must do justice by delivering quality schooling to students.

Mr Williams argued that though assessment should not be left to define academic excellence those in education reportedly saw it as such.

“When assessment is viewed as the end goal or finish line, the test itself becomes a barrier to high levels of student achievement,” he said.

He urged that connectivity or integration between subjects should be prioritised, and further advised that students should not be exposed to isolated bits of content specific knowledge, but should be taught the relationship between one class and another.

Serowe IHS principal, Ms Tebogo Morolong told the gathering that the Ministry of Health was concerned about staff and students’ welfare hence their decision to hold students and staff awards to reward excellence.

Ms Morolong also noted that even though held at different dates, staff awards would be held in February next year.

As part of the ongoing reward menu, the principal revealed that her institutions would start rewarding staff and students at unit level, departmental level before the annual school awards.

At the ceremony, students were awarded for their outstanding academic performances as well as sports excellence. ENDS