South African journalist, Editor - The Education Desk; Rhodes alumni, Nieman Fellow
Joined September 2009
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janet heard retweeted
Parties pledge safer schools, better libraries and ECD support in 2026 municipal election manifestos ebx.sh/LKrNBg
janet heard retweeted
“Little Tumi” was the focal point of a workshop at the Bana Pele (“Children First”) Leadership Summit in Sandton this week, where participants collaborated on a narrative envisioning an ideal childhood for South Africa’s children.
Read more :
educationdesk.org/2026/10/26…
janet heard retweeted
A study that followed the same group of children from the start of Grade R to the end of Grade 3 in public primary schools in Cape Town found that large gaps existed in literacy between children at poorer schools
Read more : educationdesk.org/2026/10/13…
janet heard retweeted
The Eastern Cape has started ordering grades 1 to 3 learning materials from the new R1.6-billion Foundation Phase National Catalogue ahead of the 2027 school year, while the Western Cape is holding off until procurement concerns are resolved.
@EdDeskSA
groundup.org.za/article/east…
Our top teachers deserve a shout-out , for giving their all in the classroom - and beyond.
@DBE_SA #TeacherAwards, #education #literacy
Top teacher urges daily reading to fight illiteracy
Read the full story on our website.
educationdesk.org/2026/10/05…
janet heard retweeted
Today we are celebrating teachers 👨🏫
Mosimanegape Webster Moepi
North West
*Excellence in Primary School Leadership*
After more than 32 years in education, Mosimanegape Webster Moepi of the North West is showing no signs of slowing down.
#NationalTeachingAwards #GradeR #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Education
janet heard retweeted
Mpho Mosala
Letlotlo Primary School, Free State
Best Teacher
As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day (5 October), EdDesk caught up with the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Mpho Mosala of Letlotlo Primary School in Free State.#WorldTeachersDay #NationalTeacherOfTheYear #EdDesk
janet heard retweeted
Mosimanegape Webster Moepi
North West
*Excellence in Primary School Leadership*
After more than 32 years in education, Mosimanegape Webster Moepi of the North West is showing no signs of slowing down.
#NationalTeachingAwards #GradeR #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Education
janet heard retweeted
Danielle Sherilyn Bosch
Koos Sadie Primary School, Western Cape
Excellence in Grade R Teaching
Danielle Sherilyn Bosch of Koos Sadie Primary School in the Western Cape received national recognition for Excellence in Grade R Teaching at the 2026 National Teaching Awards.
janet heard retweeted
We’ve made our debut in the Mail & Guardian with an explainer that unpacks what the approval of the new Foundation Phase catalogue really means for provinces, schools, and learners.
We trace the saga from the beginning, map out the key events, and examine the questions that remain unanswered as provinces prepare to procure books for 2027.
The story is free to read. Give it a read and share it with educators, parents and anyone interested in the future of education in South Africa.
@EdDeskSA
The new R1.6 billion Foundation Phase school catalogue has been approved, but publisher deficiencies still need to be fixed, leaving questions and uncertainty about which materials can be safely sourced.
mg.co.za/2026-09-28-tfoundat…
Seeking some context to the Foundation Phase school catalogue saga - and questions remaining - Read the @EdDeskSA explainer by @LudidiVelani here:
Foundation Phase catalogue approved — but are all the materials legally cleared for procurement?
mg.co.za/2026-09-28-tfoundat…
janet heard retweeted
After blowing the whistle on multibillion-rand COJ contracts, Sarika Lakraj-Naidoo was fired, dragged to court, and suffered in her personal life. But she would do it again. #CarteBlanche @LourensaEckard #Johannesburg #COJ
janet heard retweeted
Jonathan Jansen sat down with Janet Heard to talk about his new book, Worth the Fight. s. Worth the Fight is available at all good book stores.
To listen to the rest of the interview, find the full Pagecast author interview on all streaming platforms.
janet heard retweeted
AmaBhungane is deeply concerned by reports that our former colleague, South African journalist Micah Reddy, and his local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, are missing in Djibouti.
Micah is a former amaBhungane journalist and a valued member of the investigative journalism community in South Africa and across the continent.
We join the Committee to Protect Journalists in calling on the Djiboutian authorities to urgently clarify Micah and Kooki’s whereabouts and ensure their safety.
We call for their immediate safe return.
teapawt.net/cpjafrica/status/21014…
janet heard retweeted
When DBE minister Siviwe Gwarube took office, she said she wanted a child in Mqanduli to have the same quality of schooling experience as a child in Plattekloof. But the continued suspension of the new Foundation Phase catalogue risks undermining that ambition.
Latest story by @EdDeskSA 👇👇
South African public schools may have to rely on a 15-year-old Foundation Phase textbook catalogue next year, as the rollout of new materials remains frozen.
groundup.org.za/article/text…
Textbook saga may delay plans to improve child literacy by @LudidiVelani of @EdDeskSA , in Groundup: groundup.org.za/article/text…
janet heard retweeted
The Education Desk brings specialist education journalism back to South Africa. @EdDeskSA fills a gap in specialist education reporting, combining on-the-ground journalism with research and data. @janetheard and @AntonHarber explain. #themediabeat themediaonline.co.za/2026/09…
Check out our launch reporter video clips by @LudidiVelani , for The Education Desk @EdDeskSA : youtube.com/@theeducationdes… via @YouTube
What we are about at @EdDeskSA :
The Education Desk brings specialist education journalism back to South Africa themediaonline.co.za/2026/09…
@LudidiVelani @AntonHarber @Shelley_Pix Mandisa Makgakga
The Education Desk brings specialist education journalism back to South Africa. @EdDeskSA fills a gap in specialist education reporting, combining on-the-ground journalism with research and data. @janetheard and @AntonHarber explain. #themediabeat themediaonline.co.za/2026/09…
AT the coalface: About 850 principals gathered in Polokwane over a few days to deliberate on their challenges - here are some takeaways by Mandisa Makgakga, reporting for @EdDeskSA :
SA principal association president issues 5-step appeal to ease burnout pressure dailymaverick.co.za/article/…
