Jonathan Jansen is an internationally renowned expert in education, who in 2009 became the first black rector and vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State. He is a regular newspaper contributor, known for his views on transformation, peaceful reconciliation and unity.

Seven things which can help stop SA’s education rot

Opinion

Early in the morning, four days from now, nervous principals will go to collect the package of results for their ...

Two truths on the road to racial healing in SA

Opinion

After 30 years, this week’s public holiday, the Day of Reconciliation, gave me two unique vantage points on the ...

Dedicated teachers capable of changing SA’s dysfunctional schools

Opinion

The late Dr Peliwe Lolwana, a superb education thinker, loved repeating this saying from measurement circles: “you ...

Why Stellenbosch’s Wilgenhof residence should be closed

Opinion

After a pleasant dinner on Tuesday with good friends, who also happen to be very influential South Africans, one of ...

History panel needs to take a cold shower

Opinion

The teaching of history in schools will always be a performative arena for petty, partisan politics of the worst kind.

The importance of a pedagogy of love

Opinion

What could a pedagogy of love look like in South African classrooms? At the moment our teaching has been reduced to a ...

Blinded by The Donald: What Americans cannot see

Opinion

I happened to be in the US in both the weeks (2015 and 2024) that Donald Trump was elected president. In both cases the ...

Thank you, my Prof, for teaching me to think my way through problems

Opinion

I was visibly agitated, on the way to the weekly meeting, with my line head and vice-principal of the University of ...

SA education system not ready for a big jump in pass mark

Opinion

Mmusi Maimane of Build One SA has made the 30% pass rate his thing just like Gayton McKenzie of the Patriotic Alliance ...

Boys’ schools — we ignore the signs at our peril

Opinion

Should we rethink the role of boys’ schools in SA?