April 2024
IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT
– 25 MARCH: EXAM BOOKING CLOSES
– 28 MARCH: ELECTRONIC EXAM COMMENCES
– 14 APRIL: GRN MID – TERM BREAK STARTS
– 17 APRIL: ELECTRONIC EXAMINATION ENDSACTING
EDITORS LETTER
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Institute for Open Learning’s Student Focus Newsletter. We are pleased to oer this new communication channel to keep you informed and engaged on important events, tips and opportunities within our community.
As the online exams commenced on 26 March, I encourage you to continue preparing diligently and ensure you have the necessary resources and access to the exam platforms. Should you encounter any challenges, our support team is available and dedicated to supporting you.
We commend your continued commitment to your academic journey and wish you success in your upcoming assessments.
This newsletter is just one of many ways we aim to enhance your learning experience, and we look forward to connecting with you through future editions.
ACTING CEO: EDUCATION
ANNA IMALWA
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Dear IOL,Thank you for selecting me for the Student of the Month feature in the IOL Student Focus newsletter. I am truly honoured and excited to share my journey with the IOL community.
I chose IOL for its esteemed reputation for academic excellence and its flexible distance learning model, which has allowed me to balance my responsibilities as both a mother and a student. Pursuing a Diploma in Junior Primary Education was a conscious decision—one that would equip me with the skills to make a meaningful impact in education while securing a better future for myself and my family.
Now in my final year, I can confidently say that this course has been a transformative experience. It has provided me with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will help me shape the minds of future generations. Balancing my studies with family life has been challenging, but every milestone has been incredibly rewarding, rearming my commitment to education.
IOL has been more than just an academic institution—it has been a catalyst for both personal and professional growth. The unwavering support from the IOL team and my fellow students has empowered me to pursue my dreams with confidence, even in the face of challenges. This journey has reinforced the power of perseverance, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow into the educator I have always aspired to be.
Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to inspiring others with my story and proving that with determination, anything is possible.
Warm regards,
Justina Mankampa
SBS STUDIES
My first-year SBS has been an incredible journey. I want to express my gratitude for this experience.
Initially, I was nervous about starting my studies, unsure if I could handle a class of young children. I doubted my choice to specialize in Junior Primary School teaching and considered switching to upper primary grades.
Now, after my second week, I’m more confident that I made the right decision.
Working with a special needs child in my class has been impactful. At first, I didn’t realize how much it would aect me. But over time, I understood his needs better. He couldn’t speak initially, but now he hums along to songs and says a few words. Repetitive patterns, rhymes, and songs help him, and he’s become more trusting, smiling and laughing more. Seeing him eager to learn is rewarding.
