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Daily Maverick
17 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Maverick
SA children say they really like to read, despite dismal reading test results
A deep dive into the data behind the poor scores of South Africa's primary school learns in reading assessments – Part 2 Grade 3 is an interesting time to test children for reading ability in South Africa. Children are taught in one of the 11 official languages (ostensibly their home language) in their first years of school, known as the foundation phase, from Grade R to Grade 3. From Grade 4, the 'language of learning and teaching', or language of instruction, becomes predominantly English or Afrikaans, although there are moves to change this and extend home-language instruction. Research shows that there are benefits in teaching young children foundational reading skills in their home language, even if the results of the latest surveys don't appear to hold that up. In the past five years, two surveys have found that our Grade 3s and Grade 4s can't read for meaning. The first, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement's (IEA's) 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls) tested Grade 4s and involved children in 57 countries. The second, a local survey called the South African Systemic Evaluation (SASE), involved 56,650 learners from 1,688 schools. It looked at the reading and mathematics abilities of Grade 3, 6 and 9 learners across the country. The Department of Basic Education released the results of the SASE only in December 2024. In both surveys, the children who were tested in Afrikaans and English scored higher than the children who wrote the test in the other nine languages. In Pirls, English and Afrikaans were the only two languages where the average scores were relatively close to 400, the minimum required to show an ability to read for meaning in easy texts. In the SASE, the reading skills and knowledge learners are expected to be proficient at are divided into four performance levels. The first level, named 'emerging', is where learners are just beginning to develop the skills required for grade 3-level reading. The next level up, known as 'evolving', is where learners are beginning to construct and adapt what they have learnt. The third level, called 'enhancing', is where learners demonstrate that they actually have the required skills, are able to apply those skills and show they are moving towards independent learning. At the highest, 'extending' level, learners show an advanced understanding of the knowledge and skills required, apply their knowledge in creative ways and can learn independently. Learners need to have 'enhancing'-level skills to meet the requirements of Grade 3. Only one in five of the Grade 3s who took part achieved that level. Mother tongue Seventy-five percent of the Grade 3s in South Africa's public schools are taught in their home language, according to the Department of Basic Education. Professor Abdeljalil Akkari, an expert in education at the University of Geneva, argues that 'pre-primary is the educational sector which has the greatest need to be based on local pedagogy, traditions and cultures'. South Africa was one of the few countries that ran the Pirls test in multiple languages. While in theory, students testing in their home language rather than only English should equalise the assessment playing field, results showed that this was not in fact the case. Researchers have pointed out some testing issues with Pirls, such as how translating a European test into African languages may create more issues than it solves. An example given by researchers at the University of Pretoria is how the isiZulu version of the Pirls test needed to use foreign words in translations such as 'i-Hammerhead shark'. They show that due to translations, the isiZulu and English texts used in Pirls aren't equivalent, resulting in a harder test for the isiZulu schools compared with the English schools. Language of instruction If you look in more detail at the data on the language of instruction at schools, about a third of South Africa's Grade 3s are actually taught in English, even though English is the home language of fewer than 10% of them. Not surprisingly, 98% of the Grade 3s whose home language is English are taught in English at school; 92% of Afrikaans-speaking children are taught in Afrikaans. The picture is different for African language speakers. Children whose home language is isiNdebele are the least likely to be taught in their home language at 50%, according to DBE data. Sesotho speakers fare marginally better at 52%. More than 70% of the children who speak isiXhosa, Siswati, Setswana, Sepedi and Tshivenda were taught in their home language, as were two-thirds of children who speak Xitsonga and isiZulu. Provincial differences Provincial reading scores from the SASE showed that in the Western Cape, close to half the Grade 3s could read up to the required standard. In Gauteng, that dropped to 28% and in all the other provinces, fewer than 20% of the learners had Grade 3-level reading skills. Six languages are of particular concern because more than 40% of Grade 3 learners managed to achieve only the most basic performance level in their reading skills in the reading assessments. They are Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, isiNdebele, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Those languages are predominantly spoken in the four provinces that scored the lowest in the SASE reading assessment: the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo, according to Nwabisa Makaluza, a researcher at Stellenbosch University, who contributed an advisory note for the Reading Panel 2025 Background Report. In these provinces, a high percentage of Grade 3 learners are taught in their home language. For example, 87% in the Northern Cape, 72% in Mpumalanga, 79% in North West and 92% in Limpopo. In comparison, in Gauteng, only two in every five learners (43%) are taught in their home language. Gauteng is the most linguistically diverse province. No home language is truly dominant. The most commonly spoken language is isiZulu, but only one in four Grade 3s speak isiZulu at home. More than 20,000 Grade 3 learners speak Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi and English at home, more than 10,000 speak Xitsonga, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. This diversity makes teaching in all the home languages a complicated affair, requiring teachers trained to teach foundation phase learners in multiple languages. Despite its linguistic diversity, and the relatively low proportion of learners taught in their home language, Gauteng's Grade 3 learners did better in SASE reading tests than all but those in the Western Cape. The standard of education, quality of teaching and availability of resources in the public schools may also play a part in the poor reading assessment results of children. Not enough African language teachers South Africa's universities are not producing enough teachers to meet the demand for foundation phase teachers who can teach in African languages, according to a Department of Basic Education report by education economist Martin Gustafsson. The most recently available data, which was for 2018, shows the languages with the biggest undersupply of teachers are Sepedi, isiXhosa and Setswana. Only three languages are producing enough teachers for the foundation phase: Tshivenda, Siswati and isiNdebele. 'Some African languages are producing as little as 20% of the required number of language of learning and teaching-specific teachers,' according to the report. The language in which children are taught to read is just one factor. There are historical factors, such as the channelling of resources during apartheid to white schools where English and Afrikaans were the languages of instruction. Thirty years later, many of those schools remain better resourced. Access to learning material 'Children learn better and are more likely to pursue their subsequent studies when they have begun their schooling in a language that they use and understand,' says Professor Abdeljalil Akkari. South Africa's education policy states that the language of learning and teaching must be the learner's 'home language', but it is the school that chooses which language is to be regarded as the home language for their learners, so in many cases the official home language is not actually their mother tongue, says Sinethemba Mthimkhulu and other Pretoria University researchers. In addition, educational resources are primarily designed for English-speaking learners. The actual language profile of the country is not at all reflected in textbook publications. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries have incorporated digital learning into their schooling. The 2024 SA Book Publishing Survey shows that 1,130 new digital textbooks were published in English, more than 600 in Afrikaans and fewer than 300 were published in all the other South African languages combined. More worrying is the lack of new print textbooks being published in Sepedi, Setswana, SiSwati, Sesotho, isiNdebele, Xitsonga and Tshivenda. It's not only textbooks, other reading materials also show an English and Afrikaans dominance in a country where two in five people speak isiZulu and isiXhosa. The National Reading Baromete r, through the National Reading Survey, found that access to books in home languages is still a huge problem in South Africa. The survey found that 72% of parents who read with their young children would prefer to read in an African language. It also found that schools are the most important source of reading materials in South African households. In many cases (40%), the books that adults read with their children at home are school textbooks and 33% are fiction books. Looking at all books in general, fewer than 10% of book sales are for African language books, according to data from the latest South African Book Publishing Industry Survey. In the period from 2021-2024, fewer than 1% of book sales in South Africa were isiNdebele or siSwati books, and Sepedi and Sesotho publications each accounted for only 1%. isiZulu publications account for just 3% of these book sales and, although English is the home language of fewer than 10% of the population, English books made up 80% of the total book revenue, the book publishing industry survey shows. Two out of three households (63%) do not have any fiction or nonfiction books at all (this excludes bibles, magazines, textbooks etc). Most speakers of Xitsonga, isiNdebele and Tshivenda don't have a single book in their language at home, and more than 40% of Setswana and Sesotho speakers don't have any books in theirs, according to the 2023 National Reading Survey findings. Let the children read Despite the immense problems with reading, inequality and lack of resources, these reading surveys also reveal a shining light of hope, which is that South Africa's children actually like reading. Along with the Pirls reading test were various surveys, for the parents, school teachers and principals, as well as the children themselves. In the children's questionnaire, one of the questions asked whether they enjoyed reading. More than 70% of South Africa's children enthusiastically said they enjoyed reading, the 11th highest percentage of the 57 countries participating in the survey. In an 'enjoyment of reading' index, which encompassed a range of questions, Pirls found that 90% of the South African children like reading to some extent, and 50% of those like reading 'very much'. DM
News18
18 hours ago
- General
- News18
World's Top Polluters: Where Does India Stand?
Last Updated: China, the USA, and India are the top carbon emitters, with China aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060, the US transitioning to renewables, and India targeting net zero by 2070 The primary global concern regarding climate change at the moment is minimising carbon emissions. Notably, the top three countries making significant efforts in this regard are China, the United States of America, and India. Global efforts are underway to address this issue. Top Carbon Emitting Countries Let us first look at the countries emitting the most carbon and the quantities they are emitting as of 2023. The data is provided in million tonnes of CO₂ per year (MtCO₂/yr), sourced from the Global Carbon Project, IEA, and EDGAR. China: Responsible for 30% of the world's total CO₂ emissions, primarily due to heavy reliance on coal. However, China is investing in solar and wind energy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. Current emissions are 12,400 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Coal (55%), Oil (20%) and Gas (10%). The United States of America: Accounts for 14% of global emissions. The USA is transitioning towards natural gas and renewable energy, though progress may be affected by political changes. Current emissions are 5,100 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Oil (45%), Gas (33%) and Coal (12%). India: Contributes 7% of global emissions. India is heavily dependent on coal but is working towards reducing this through renewable energy, with a goal of net zero by 2070. Current emissions are 3,400 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Coal (70%) and Oil (25%). Russia: Emits 5% of global carbon emissions, focusing on natural gas exports but lagging in renewable energy advancement. Emissions Per Capita (2023) Major Sources Of Emissions (By Country) What Are Greenhouse Emissions? Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing a greenhouse effect. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Released by burning fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel). Methane (CH₄): Emitted from agriculture, animal husbandry, and landfills. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Released from fertilisers and industrial processes. Fluorinated Gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF₆): Released from refrigeration and industrial use. Understanding Carbon Emissions top videos View all Carbon emissions mainly consist of CO₂, resulting from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, and constitute about 75% of GHG emissions. Both greenhouse and carbon emissions lead to global warming, climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. First Published: News india World's Top Polluters: Where Does India Stand?
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harnessing AI to Revolutionize Oil & Gas Operations: Jereh's Path to a Safer, More Efficient Energy Solution
YANTAI, China, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining the upstream oil and gas landscape by transforming complex, data-intensive tasks into highly efficient, predictive workflows. The IEA's recent Energy and AI report finds that AI-enabled process optimization can boost hydraulic fracturing efficiency by up to 20%, a gain achieved through real-time adjustment of pump rates, proppant mixes and fracture schedules based on down-hole sensor data. As energy companies strive for higher productivity and safer operations, AI is proving to be an indispensable tool, and innovators like Jereh are at the forefront of this evolution. Building on decades of equipment expertise, Jereh has established a dedicated R&D program to integrate AI across all its oilfield solutions. One of the flagship examples of this transformation is Jereh's AI•R FRAC solution, a fully integrated, AI-powered fracturing platform showcased at cippe 2025. The platform integrates eight subsystems, including intelligent decision-making algorithms, predictive maintenance modules, automated manifold control, and real-time safety monitoring, etc. In field deployments, the system has achieved 97.8% accuracy in pump failure prediction and 100% anomaly detection in high-pressure environments, contributing to a 36% boost in operational efficiency. Its intelligent safety and risk management modules identify equipment and personnel risks with 100% accuracy, dramatically improving site safety. By leveraging Jereh's self-developed turbine generators and advanced energy storage systems, the solution supports off-grid, low-emission operations, with up to 15% reduction in fuel consumption. In addition to improved performance, the smart electric wellsite significantly reduces environmental footprint and enhances decision-making through centralized AI control. One of the most notable deployments of the AI•R FRAC system took place in the Sichuan Basin in southwest China, where it powered the area's first ultra-deep shale gas fracturing operation with a fully electric, AI-driven platform. The operation featured 18 electric-driven 6000 HP fracturing units, along with electric-powered blending and hydration units, all seamlessly coordinated by the AI•R FRAC system. Rather than simply retrofitting diesel systems with electric drives or layering basic digital controls, Jereh's approach fully integrates AI across subsystems to form a unified, intelligent fracturing ecosystem. In natural gas compression, Jereh's Compressor Intelligent Diagnostic System utilizes AI models deployed over the industrial internet to provide real-time, remote monitoring and failure prediction. By identifying subtle changes in vibration patterns and load profiles, the system enables predictive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime by up to 30% and extending equipment lifespans. As the oil and gas industry moves toward autonomous, low-carbon, and high-efficiency operations, Jereh's AI-integrated approach is demonstrating tangible results. By embedding AI at every layer of its electric-driven hardware and monitoring platforms, Jereh is enabling operators to shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-informed decision-making. As the industry pursues ever-higher efficiency, safety and sustainability targets, these integrated AI solutions offer a clear path to the zero-downtime, predictive oilfield of tomorrow. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Jereh Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Surge in China's green investment: Capacity may exceed demand
THE surge in green investment in China continues to bolster growth, offsetting the drag from the beleaguered property sector. This pivot is essential to meet global climate targets but it also heightens geopolitical tensions, with headwinds from EV (electric vehicle) consolidation and excess battery capacity looming. In 2024, green investment once again underpinned Chinese growth, driven by carbon reduction goals, energy security, and a push to lead in green technology. This surge included a record 275 gigawatt (GW) of new solar and 80 GW of wind capacity added, making renewable energy the largest driver of fixed asset investment for the second consecutive year. Investment in water conservation and environmental management also contributed significantly. Conversely, investment in EV manufacturing moderated, and the contribution from solar and battery manufacturing swung from a strong tailwind to a headwind, reflecting substantial overcapacity. Peering through the smog China's abrupt green pivot since 2023 partly reflects a need to counter the drag from real estate, but it also aligns with the country's climate targets. As electrification continues at pace, China is likely to have already reached peak emissions or will achieve it very soon, well ahead of its stated 2030 target. China's announced 'dual control' system for carbon emissions focuses on energy intensity and total emissions, with non-binding targets for absolute emissions until 2030. Details on the targets for its National Determined Contribution related to its Paris Agreement commitments, expected in the coming months, could be unambitious. Despite this, there is a good chance these objectives will be reached early, as has been the case with China's renewable agenda. However, emissions reduction will likely remain limited in this decade, as China continues to build coal power plants. The risk of stranded assets and subsidisation of coal power appear to be costs the authorities are willing to pay to guarantee energy security and manage renewable production variability. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up China's industry craves power China's electricity consumption and generation capacity surpassed those of the US and the Eurozone combined in 2024, reflecting its energy-intensive manufacturing sector. Industries like semiconductors, aluminium, nickel refining and data centres require vast amounts of electricity. Renewable energy production also demands significant power, with polysilicon needing four times more energy per tonne than aluminium and 150 times more than steel. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that manufacturing green products alone accounts for 16 per cent of total electricity growth. More broadly, China is witnessing dramatic electrification. China's domestic EV adoption has slowed, but long-term electrification of transport will require greater grid capacity as oil powers fewer cars. Rising living standards and temperatures are increasing household electricity use, particularly for air conditioning and electric heating. This suggests solid fundamentals for grid expansion, with potential for exporting excess capacity to neighbouring countries. Green light, red light A key question is whether China's green drive can continue to support growth or turn into a headwind. Investment from EV manufacturing moderated in 2024, and significant consolidation is expected, which could weigh on automotive sector investment over the next few years. Excess capacity in battery manufacturing, which dragged on whole-economy FAI (fixed asset investment) in 2024, may worsen as developed markets reduce reliance on China. Bloomberg NEF tracks 6.8 TWh (terawatt-hour) of annual battery manufacturing capacity for the end of 2025, with China alone accounting for nearly 5 TWh . Industry reports suggest CATL, the largest Chinese manufacturer, is operating at 60 per cent capacity, with smaller firms at 20 to 30 per cent. Industry standards aimed at culling low-quality capacity will likely amplify consolidation pressures. The renewable energy rollout must continue to gather pace to support gross domestic product growth in 2025 and beyond. Data to February shows little sign of slowing down, and China may lean more heavily on green investment to counter the trade war with the US. However, China is changing the pricing system for new wind and solar projects from June, moving from fixed prices benchmarked on coal power prices to competitive auctions, which could slow the rollout. The good news is that investment in grid and ancillary infrastructure could still support growth, even if renewable energy capacity stabilises or eases. China likely needs more ultra-high voltage (+800 kV) power lines to move renewable power from the West to the East, and investments in energy storage, such as solar, battery, and pumped hydro, will be crucial to keep the electricity system operating smoothly. CarbonBrief noted that storage infrastructure under construction rose to 189 GW (+13 per cent) in 2024, while energy storage was included as an aim for the first time in the government work report presented at the 'Two Sessions' . Unsustainable surge in sustainable investment? China's push into green investment in 2023 and 2024 was remarkable. The number of EVs manufactured has almost doubled since 2022 to over 13 million, while surging investment in renewables means that more than half of China's electricity generation capacity is green. However, the pivot away from real estate and into green investment raises the question of whether China is swapping one unsustainable form of investment for another. Assessing the time horizons over which different aspects of green investment could support or weigh on growth is complicated. Some aspects of green investment are already dragging on the economy, while others may curtail investment soon. Considering a longer time horizon, the potential for EVs to rise from their current 20 per cent share to a much larger proportion of China's auto fleet suggests green investment in transportation could still be a significant driver of growth. We have little visibility on the Chinese Communist Party's plans for investment in renewable power over the long run. China smashed through its 2030 target of 1,200 GW of solar and wind capacity, reaching 1,400 GW in 2024. The latest IEA Renewables 2024 report forecasts 4,800 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, more than triple its 2023 level. If correct, that would imply the renewable rollout would provide a strong near-term growth boost, as the installation of new capacity could still accelerate. Our latest modelling work is more cautious, suggesting that such a fast pace of renewable capacity expansion would exceed fundamental demand. Regardless of the timescale and ambitions, the pivot towards renewable energy – which requires a greater amount of capacity to be installed relative to thermal power – suggests substantial expansion is the new norm. This modelling also assumes that coal-fired power capacity may continue to expand modestly over the next five to 10 years. At some stage, the renewables' rollout will need to slow, but grid capacity and ancillary infrastructure needs will still have to catch up, providing more long-lasting support to growth. The IEA World Energy Investment report expects investment into grid and storage to almost triple. If correct, green investment should continue to support growth over the coming years. Robert Gilhooly is senior emerging market economist and Alexandre Popa is sustainable investment analyst, Aberdeen Investments
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
A New IEA Report and the Iberian Blackout End Dreams of an ‘Energy Transition'
Commentary It's no secret that the Republican's 'Big Beautiful Bill' plans to axe large swaths of mandates and billions of dollars in subsidies directed at achieving a so-called 'energy transition.' If that budget axe falls, it will be the proverbial third strike that puts to rest the idea that the United States, never mind the world, will abandon fossil fuels. The other two strikes already happened. Strike two came last month with the Great Iberian blackout. Preliminary forensics make And strike one came a few weeks prior to the Iberian calamity with the release of a new As the IEA report noted, just one large AI data center uses as much electricity as two million households, and myriads are planned. Thus, digital infrastructures will soon create demands equivalent to—reliably—powering hundreds of millions of new households. Spoiler alert: the IEA forecast shows fossil fuels continue to play a central role. However, since the IEA is the chief cheerleader for an energy transition, the executive summary of this latest report leads by observing that half the expected data center demand will be 'met by renewables.' Not until deep into that report's 300 pages does one find the candid observation that natural gas supplies the other half in the United States, and coal fills that role in China. The IEA's framing of the answer is a glass-half-full view of a failed vision, especially considering that trillions of dollars have been invested so far in pursuing the transition goal. Related Stories 4/21/2025 3/15/2025 Meanwhile, counting on far more renewables to supply half of new demands means ignoring the political and economic headwinds for U.S. solar and wind deployments. Long before the November 2024 election, or the Iberian grid collapse, the IEA itself flagged what many now know: China has unprecedented global dominance in wind and solar supply chains. Setting aside tariff impacts, the kind of spending required to build-out transition hardware would entail a massive wealth transfer to China. At the same time, it has become obvious that jamming wind and solar onto grids wreaks economic havoc on consumers. The economic fallout is starkly visible in Cost of power, however, is not the central issue for the data center industry. After all, it has deep pockets. The Magnificent Seven, collectively, have about a trillion dollars of cash on their books. Even if ratepayers and most businesses are price sensitive, Big Tech is not. Why not just pay the premium for wind and solar? The answer: The prime drivers in digital domains are reliability and velocity. It's vital to ensure that power is ready when construction is done, i.e., the very near future. And it's vital to deliver that power continuously and reliably once operations start. Thus, we're seeing an almost covert reliance on massive quantities of natural gas turbines in nearly all the announced projects from This doesn't mean Big Tech or the IEA are backing off climate pledges. Nor does it mean the climate debate is settled. Nor will we see any diminution in transition fervor from the climate-industrial complex. Likely that fervor heats up as the Trump Administration attempts to deliver on its promise to defund the panoply of climate-energy programs marbled throughout federal agencies. What it does mean is that whatever one believes about the science of the climate, the fact is that mandates and subsidies can't change the physics of energy systems. Systems that can deliver reliable power at the scales necessary for robust growth remain anchored in precisely the fuels the transitionists want to abandon. From Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
