Since August 2014 PSA has been involved in a Consortium appointed by the NECT (National Education Collaboration Trust) to drive district improvement programme in the Bohlabela District in Mpumalanga. The consortium includes four organisations, viz: PSA, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Class Act and Penreach which has interventions at five levels (SMT; District; Teacher Development; Parents & Community, as well as Learner Support). The overall aim of the project is to achieve improved learning outcomes.
The Inception Phase of this programme has been completed and it ran from August 2014 through to the end of March 2015. One key output from the Inception Phase was the development of a detailed improvement programme that would run over a 3 year period involving all the schools in the District as well as District officials from a range of sub-directorates e.g. Curriculum Implementation, Circuit Management and Teacher Development & Governance. This plan, once approved by the District and NECT, will be implemented from August 2015.
Another focus during the inception phase was to work directly with 58 schools from 10 Circuits. These schools are called Fresh Start Schools and were selected by the District, in conjunction with the NECT, for focused interventions to prepare them for the 3 year roll out phase. During the roll out phase these schools will continue to receive additional input to assist them to develop and improve.
As with the start of all journeys, there is both excitement as well as uncertainty. However, given the commitment shown by the various stakeholders so far we are looking forward to great results.
Some of the participants from the Fresh Start Schools had this to say:
• “This project is making things so much better at my school. Now I am excited to be here.” (School Principal)
• “I feel that this programme will help us educators to change our personal behaviour and become united” (Teacher)
• “We are grateful to have a person whom we can rely on for support through the PWC Consortium programme” (SGB Chairperson)
• “This programme is helping me to do my job better and I am feeling more confident” (HOD)
• “The project has managed to bring both parents and teachers together and they all rendering their responsibilities. The way this project has started it differs with other projects due to its positive impact in the school” (Principal)
Circuit Manager’s Workshop – 13 May 2015