We wish you all a very meaningful Christmas and may 2012 be a great year for Mafikeng, South Africa and our global village

On behalf of Staff and Students

Sydney Teme, PRINCIPAL, Ramosadi Primary School,

24 December, 2011

Ramosadi Primary participates in Mobile Learning awareness

May, 2011

Mr Sydney Teme represented Ramosadi Primary School at the M-Ubuntu indaba when discussing the viability of using mobile phones for literacy-improvement.



Mr Sydney Teme (top left), Mr Thabang Mogale (top right) and Mr Langa  expressed their confidence in the M-Ubuntu projects in schools in Mafikeng.

Ramosadi Primary hosts bold summer program

 December, 2010

  Mr Thabang Mogale from Mafikeng in South Africa wanted to   do something different this South African summer. Aware of the dangers of an unoccupied mind, he prepared a project for Grade 5 learners from Ramosadi Primary School that would improve their literacy levels.

  The school's principal, Mr Sydney Teme, availed all the resources used during the M-Ubuntu Project to the summer program, effectively maximizing the donated resources plus the space for the summer initiative. 

  Pre-loading mobile phones donated by SPRINT with written poems, video- and audio clips and images, Mr Mogale managed to interest ten learners to design their own flag of dreams, modeled after the very popular Dream Flag Project.

  "We are using the phones as small, easily accessible devices to let them read, view and listen to ideas for their own projects," said Thabang.

  Thabang received help of 3 volunteers from the nearby Mogakolodi Senior Secondary School, and awarded certificates for successfully completed projects.

  The small award ceremony took place at Ramosadi Primary School just before Christmas. Students proudly presented their work during the ceremony.

 Thabang Mogale uses expertise to make Global Mobile Learning Conference possible

 19 February, 2010

 Over two grueling days, connecting his school with China and the USA, the young M-Ubuntu Communications Technician, Thabang Mogale, dug deep to ensure that a quality audio and video feed joins Ramosadi with the world.

 

Thabang provided all the technical support to make M-Ubuntu's first Global Conference a success.

  "I am very impressed with Thabang's hard work at our school," said principal, Mr Sydney Teme.

  The Global Mobile Learning Conference was addressed by Dr Jeff Kupperman from DiGameworks (US) and Geoff Stead from Tribal (UK). Two schools in South Africa, Spectrum Primary School (Gauteng) and De Rust Futura Academy (Western Cape) joined via a live internet video and audio connection.

Story and Picture: Learning Academy Worldwide

 US educators visiting with Ramosadi Primary School learners and staff

  January, 25, 2010

 This week, Ramosadi Primary School will be home to educators and scholars from Michigan and California in the USA.

 Shawn Baglin and Beth Robertson, Learning Consultants with DevInfo GameWorks together with Associate Professor of Education, University of Michigan and Assistant Professor of Education, Susanna Hapgood from University of Toledo will work directly with Grade 6 learners to meet literacy needs through the innovative technologies.

  The team have vast experience in technology-based learning and are collaborating with the M-Ubuntu initiative to assist Ramosadi Primary in meeting its literacy goals.

Learners participate more and discipline problems subside during mobile learning coaching

  December 2009

  Teachers' confidence that the M-Ubuntu literacy initiative would make a difference was given a  great boost as learners responded by engaging enthusiastically in their class activities

  This was particularly noticeable during the Grade 6 interviews that they conducted with their younger peers at school. Lucy Haagen, M-Ubuntu project coach, demonstrated to teachers how simple-structured lesson plans with mobile phones, got learner involved in and reduced discipline problems.

  Participants and observing participants in this video clip are focussed on their activities.

See Video

2009 Graduates of Grades R

 December, 2009

The Grade R Graduates of Ramosadi Primary School were excited to pose for pictures at their graduation last year. See the images here

North West University opens door for Ramosadi Primary's M-Ubuntu

November, 2009

   One of South Africa's biggest Universities, North West University, hosted a briefing by the M-Ubuntu team at their Mafikeng Campus.
   Intrigued and curious of the M-learning phenomena, Professor Thapelo Mamiala from the Faculty of Education said earlier that they "welcome (the) opportunity to have collaboration with M-Ubuntu". The University made every effort to keep to this intention when they accepted an invitation from the M-Ubuntu team to introduce the project and explore collaboratory possibilities.
   Some 15 delegates from the University met with Lucy Haagen, Sydney Teme and Dorothy Ratshefola to explore three possibilities with the University: a possible student teacher internship collaboration, a science project and the provision of training for teachers in technology assisted learning.
   There's been a stirring in the region since the M-Ubuntu team arrived at their Ramosadi Project site to coach teachers in the use of Mobile phones to increase meaningful learning participation in the school.

 

Story: Theo van Rensburg Lindzter
Photography and Uploading: Thabang Mogale 

  Stirrings in Mafikeng as Ramosadi  Primary educators connect with Duke University Lecturer

 29 October, 2009

  A new siege is under way in Mafikeng as the M-Ubuntu team met with principal and teachers in the second round of training and coaching in the use of Mobile phones for projects and examinations.

 Every teacher of Ramosadi Primary School is involved in the project and this week started a 14-day initiative to engage them in the use of the phones for learning. Even the extended school community, represented by the School Governing body, were involved as the team explained the nature of the project, the achievements thus far and the plans ahead.

 Duke University Lecturer, Lucy Haagen, are spending her days following a tight schedule that includes class visits to see teachers in action, coaching workshops to give practical ideas for the use of the phones and liaisons withthe community and the North West University to explore sustainability options for the M-Ubuntu project.

 The visit of the US Embassy's English Language Officer, Mr Eran Williams, earlier this week, allowed M-Ubuntu to expand the awareness of this initiative.

 Local institutional support coordinator, Mr BA Itumeleng, who represented the North West Education Department, spoke with praise and hope earlier via Skype to the M-Ubuntu coach in Washington DC. " I see such great possibilities for M-Ubuntu  in helping our teachers in the region to learn practical uses of the technology", he said.

 Lucy Haagen stays on in the region till Friday, 6th November before returning to the US.

Mr BA Itumeleng, from the North West Education Department speaks via Skype to Theo van Rensburg Lindzter in Washington DC

March 2009  - Educators Return from US trip - Story and Pictures

25 February 2009       Ramosadi Primary     one of two schools to receive book grant from Washington DC organization. Read story here.

1 February 2009           Ramosadi Primary     need creates opportunity for Mechanical Technology learners from Gauteng. Read story in NEWS.

30th January 2009      Ramosadi Primary     School connects teachers to International expertise. READ full story and see pictures. Listen to principal.

Teachers from Ramosadi Primary     receive coaching from Washington DC without leaving school premises. Read here. 

US visit awaits principal and staff member from Ramosadi Primary     School. Read here. 

PICTURE GALLERY Lucy Haagen in coaching action

Dorothy Ratshefola explains her point  while US Embassy officer, Eran Williams listens in.

Teachers at Ramosadi Primary coach one another

 Lucy Haagen makes a point

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GARDENING PROJECT

This ingenious idea, started by principal Sydney Teme some five years ago, will also become the region's first laboratory where modules in the natural sciences will be studied.

Read the story. Click here.

Letter from the Principal

Sydney Teme in Washington DC during his recent visit to the US.

I am very honoured to be part of Ramosadi Primary School and I would love to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions to help us make a difference for our children during the vital years of their lives.

We welcome your input. Email us a note or write us on our CONTACT US page

Ramosadi ... dreaming big dreams!

Cushioning the Botswana border in the North West Province of South Africa, a little village, known as Ramosadi, is home to our little school, quietly conducting its mandate since 1959 - Ramosadi Primary School.

Almost 300 learners come here each day, defying some of life's brutal barriers, most of it involuntarily imposed on them. They come to learn.

Educators, though strained by limited resources and big class sizes, dream big dreams for their learners.

They often remind themselves that Ramosadi Primary School was the home to South Africa's first black astrophycisist and the first black South African Stanford University graduate. The star of the 2005 Academy Award-wining South African film, Tsotsi, grew up in the dusty streets of Ramosadi.

Each child, therefore, that walks through the doors each day is greeted with constant awareness of the potential that resides in them and the responsibility to help them identify it and pursue it - that is Ramosadi! 

  School Contact Details

879 Tebogo Teu Street

Montshiwa, MAFEKING

North West

SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone & Fax: 018-3841725

Email: info@ramosadiprimary.org

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