The ninth annual South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) African EduWeek will take place in Johannesburg on July 1-2, offering a “futuristic look” at teaching and allowing suppliers of the latest classroom technology and services to exhibit.
African EduWeek, which will take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand and is co-located with the E-Tech Africa conference, will also offer free-to-attend educational training and development for teachers.
Organisers Spintelligent and Clarion Events said the conference is the only all-encompassing education event taking place in South Africa this year.
“Last year the event underwent a huge transformation to a more expo-focused gathering,” said event director Tanya Jackman.
“But we want continue to challenge ourselves and our teachers, making sure we bring them content that is relevant for today’s educators, including the latest classroom technology, free edu-theatre talks and workshops and the opportunity to engage with educational peers and experts from across the globe.”
Last year’s event saw a 165 per cent increase in visitors, with 2,436 teachers and education experts attending the expo and conference. This year, in excess of 4,000 education professionals and more than 150 local and international exhibitors are expected to attend.
The African EduWeek exhibition will feature products and services for the education sector in areas that include basic education, IT, higher education, inclusive education, science and maths, safety and security, sustainability and energy efficiency and school supplies and stationery.
“Our core focus will always be the teacher in the classroom, wherever this is or whatever form this classroom may take. Our conference and workshops will therefore be free to attend this year,” said Jackman.
“We want to continue to empower our educators to go back to their schools with new ideas, insight and confidence to face the daily challenges at school, whether it is about teaching skills, social problems impacting learners’ performance or using e-learning tools and educational technology.”
The co-located E-Tech Africa conference will be specifically focused on all things technology in education.
“Our programme is beyond exciting, as we look at the importance of technology innovation in the classroom, especially in African context,” said Jackman.
E-learning startups have proven popular with investors in recent months, with Tanzania’s Ubongo Kids and Ghana’s Revo among those to have raised funding rounds lately. Disrupt Africa has also featured a number of e-learning startups from across the continent, notably Obami, Rekindle Learning, Rethink Education and Youngsoul.
