June - Department of Defence

for the SA Army College to adapt itstraining approach in order to facilitatethe training and preparation ofofficers for their leadership roles inthe 21st century.For this reason the andragogicalapproach has been instituted.According to Malcolm Knowles, andragogicsis the "art and science of helpingadults learn". At the SA ArmyCollege this approach is referred to asthe Adult Training Approach.The reason for this approachshould be obvious as the SA ArmyCollege trains adult learners whohave needs that differ from those oftheir younger counterparts for whomthe pedagogic approach is relevant.Adult learners have a definite selfconceptand will therefore not learnunder conditions incongruous withtheir self-concept.They have accumulated such arich fund of experience that they canshare with their fellow learners. Theyalso have definite time constraintsand would therefore prefer to put touse immediately what they havelearned and make their knowledgeapplicable to current problems. It isfor these reasons that the SA Army"Change is a constant fortoday's armed forces. With frequentshifting requirements, aswell as advancing technology,it is imperative that anyreforms contribute to a force'sability to operate on the battlefield,"said Gen Donn A. Starry,US Army.College now focuses on aspects, suchas why specific training should bedone, utilising all learners' experience(especially in small group discussions),emphasising that learnersshould be self-directing, that trainingactivities are life or task centred, thatlearners should accept responsibilityfor their own learning, and thatintrinsic motivation serves as thepower source for all learning.From January 2003 this approachhas been implemented with greatenthusiasm and the positive resultsand advantages have already becomevisible. This was made possible onlyafter a substantial number ofDirecting Staff had qualified in highereducation and training practices atvarious academic institutions, whichwe view as co-partners in our newventure.It should be stated that the SAArmy College is committed to a constanttraining evolution to ensure thatofficers are moulded to ensure thatthey will be capable of "creating" afuture instead of reacting to it. TheCollege therefore strives to live up toits slogan: "Breaking the old moulds".For more detail please visit theSA Army College website at:armycol@lantic.net or the intranetat: www.army.mil.za:8080/armycol.Tuberculosis (TB) is curableBy Mr Bongani Maphumulo for theKhomanani TB Campaign Becoming short of breath. Feeling tired all the time. Sweating at night.Tuberculosis (TB) is a major problemin South Africa. Some people believe Getting a fever which comesand goes.that you can only get TB if you arepoor or if you are an alcoholic. This isnot true. Anyone can get TB. TB isone of the leading causes of death inSouth Africa although it is a curabledisease. One of the primary ways ofstopping the spread of TB is througheducation. 24 March is WorldTuberculosis Day - the governmentmade TB, alongside HIV/AIDS,a priority disease in the country.What do I do if I thinkI have TB?Get checked by a health worker ifyou think you have TB.You should go to your nearestclinic or doctor as soon as possible.The sister or doctor will ask youexactly how you are feeling and whatyour problems are. They willexamine you.They may ask you to cough yourHow do I know if I have TB?You will probably have some ofthe following symptoms if youhave TB:spit into a small bottle for two morningsin a row. The nurse will thensend this spit to a laboratory. Peoplein the laboratory will look for TB Coughing for more than twoweeks.germs in your spit. You may alsoneed to have an X-ray of your chest. Coughing up blood.The health worker will tell you when Not wanting to eat.to come back for the X-ray results. If Feeling pains in the chest.you have TB, the people you live withneed to be checked.TreatmentPeople who have suffered fromTB say that taking the medicine everyday for six months is difficult. So it isa good idea to get somebody to helpyou take your medicine. This personis called a Directly ObservedTreatment Short (DOTS) Course supporter.Ask at the clinic about gettinghelp with taking your medicine. Youcan choose your helper - the personcan be a neighbour, a shop steward atwork, a local teacher or a nurse at aclinic. It is important that the personis nearby and easy to get to everyday. Your helper will keep yourmedicine and give it to you everyday. Your helper will also encourageyou to carry on with the treatmentwhen you get tired of it. It isimportant to take your medicineevery day even when you feel better.If you require more informationabout TB, phone the Department ofHealth at tel no: (012) 312 0000 or theDirector of the TB Directorate at telno: (012) 312 0106.J U N E 2 0 0 4 • S A S O L D I E R43