Nicola Jenvey, Kwazulu-Natal Correspondent
10 May 2004
Durban — Teachers from schools across Durban will spend their July holidays behind the desk taking part in a pilot project by the South African Port Operations (Sapo) to provide grade 12 economics teachers with an insight into the maritime industry.
Initially the project will see teachers from Durban-based schools return to school for five days to gain an understanding about globalisation and how the maritime industry, specifically imports and exports, contribute to the South African economy.
The move followed a request from Eastern Cape teachers in the townships who said they were increasingly faced with questions about the maritime industry and the economic effect of SA's ports.
The five-day programme, which rolls out in June and will continue in the Michaelmas and Easter holidays, includes an industry overview; sector presentations of the car, breakbulk, bulk and container operations; the new world economy; privatisation and its implications; as well as Coega and its effect.
Yesterday, Sapo senior manager Zeph Ndlovu said up to 90% of SA's imports and export moved through the country's ports, meaning the port environment had "a substantial effect" on the economy in terms of employment and earnings towards gross domestic product.
"In the spirit of the black economic empowerment charter for the maritime industry, we are widening our reach not only to entrepreneurs, but also to teachers who are key in passing on information about the industry to our children," he said.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2004 Business Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
