Elru launches online academy

The Early Learning Resource Unit (Elru) in Lansdowne has launched its online academy and a curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (Steam).

The non-profit organisation supports the development of vulnerable children up to the age of 6 by developing the adults around them.

The academy has 40 accredited and non-accredited courses for those in or wanting to enter the early childhood development sector.

Speaking at the launch last Thursday, Elru board chairman Richard Brown said the need in the sector was great.

“We can all talk about the problems, but can we talk about the solutions? The online academy is widening the space so that more people can have access to training. We are lowering the barriers to bridge that gap. None of this would be possible without our funders and those willing to learn. We hope to make a big difference in this space.”

Annette Robertson, the training manager at Elru, said the new curriculum sought to “inspire inquiry and curiosity, to empower learners to ask thought-provoking questions that promote creativity and exploration, and to connect their problem-solving to real-world solutions”.

She added: “Through our partnership with Standard Bank, we embarked on developing a curriculum that would enhance and stimulate the development of children in these fundamental areas. We decided to package each theme into resource boxes consisting of all relevant stationery and guides required.

“We have also piloted the Steam curriculum with 50 ECD centres within the West Coast and Gugulethu communities, and the feedback from these practitioners was extremely positive and beneficial. This year, we implemented the training with 24 ECD centres in Langa and 16 in Nyanga.”

The courses can be accessed on a computer or Android cellphone, according to Shireen Onia, whose company managed the online academy project.

Professor Sigamoney Naicker, from the Western Cape Education Department, congratulated Elru, saying: “As government, we can never do this alone - to tackle the sector of society who needs it most.”

Visit elruacademy.co.za to access the online courses.