Saturday, 27 January 2024, saw the start of a truly Olympic initiative, namely the launch of the Olympic Values Education Training Programme (OVEP) for the first group of teachers with a focus on Physical Education (PE) and Life orientation at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
The OVEP embraces the Olympic philosophy that learning occurs through balanced body, mind and spirit development.
The programme aims to address societal issues such as:
The rollout of the training programme for Physical Educators in Western Cape schools is aimed at encouraging Olympic Education Champions.
The initiative is part of the focus area of UWC’s UNESCO Chair for Sport Development and Peace, Professor Marion Keim, and her team of Olympic Education Facilitators - some of whom are accredited with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Others are affiliates of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee as well as the continental organisation.
Team members include Ms Jasmina Majiet, Mr Jose Cabral, Ms Radene Lucas, Mr Mawethu Mbanga and Professor Christo de Coning for M&E. The team members have conducted OVEP Training in Europe and Botswana in the past, working with National Olympic Committees and international coaches, schools and university educators.
The OVEP training for the first group of 50 teachers was an eye-opener and a fantastic experience for educators from across the province, including Simonstown, Grabouw, Hermanus and the Cape Metro.
Besides learning about the Olympic History, Olympism and the IOC agenda and structure, they were able to actively implement the Olympic values through physical activities, games and real-life situations, and form a unique bond of friendship amongst each other.
Prof Keim said that the UWC team was excited to launch this training initiative and to create this network. Mr Isamel Taladia from UWC expressed his Department’s intent to take this programme to new heights, as well as beyond the Western Cape into the other provinces.
DVC: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, stressed the contribution of the programme to the development of well-rounded individuals who are adopting the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship, and striving towards such values in all fields of life.
She expressed her hope that many of the students of the teachers participating in this programme may in future, make UWC their home.
The Course evaluation showed the need for such a programme, and the appreciation of the teachers and subject advisors present, to become part of the Olympic Education Network in South Africa spearheaded by UWC and its UNESCO Chair Team for Sport, Development and Peace, and Olympic Education.
The next training session will take place on 17 February.
The OVEP embraces the Olympic philosophy that learning occurs through balanced body, mind and spirit development.
The programme aims to address societal issues such as:
- Healthy lifestyle
- Social inclusion
- Gender balance
- Physical and academic literacy
- Rebuilding of local communities using sport and physical activity as a tool
The rollout of the training programme for Physical Educators in Western Cape schools is aimed at encouraging Olympic Education Champions.
The initiative is part of the focus area of UWC’s UNESCO Chair for Sport Development and Peace, Professor Marion Keim, and her team of Olympic Education Facilitators - some of whom are accredited with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Others are affiliates of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee as well as the continental organisation.
Team members include Ms Jasmina Majiet, Mr Jose Cabral, Ms Radene Lucas, Mr Mawethu Mbanga and Professor Christo de Coning for M&E. The team members have conducted OVEP Training in Europe and Botswana in the past, working with National Olympic Committees and international coaches, schools and university educators.
The OVEP training for the first group of 50 teachers was an eye-opener and a fantastic experience for educators from across the province, including Simonstown, Grabouw, Hermanus and the Cape Metro.
Besides learning about the Olympic History, Olympism and the IOC agenda and structure, they were able to actively implement the Olympic values through physical activities, games and real-life situations, and form a unique bond of friendship amongst each other.
Prof Keim said that the UWC team was excited to launch this training initiative and to create this network. Mr Isamel Taladia from UWC expressed his Department’s intent to take this programme to new heights, as well as beyond the Western Cape into the other provinces.
DVC: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, stressed the contribution of the programme to the development of well-rounded individuals who are adopting the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship, and striving towards such values in all fields of life.
She expressed her hope that many of the students of the teachers participating in this programme may in future, make UWC their home.
The Course evaluation showed the need for such a programme, and the appreciation of the teachers and subject advisors present, to become part of the Olympic Education Network in South Africa spearheaded by UWC and its UNESCO Chair Team for Sport, Development and Peace, and Olympic Education.
The next training session will take place on 17 February.
