A 2007 McKinsey Report on high-performing education systems in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries makes the important point that the quality of education cannot exceed the quality of its teachers. Developing teachers into effective instructors is one of the top three factors contributing towards these high-performing systems – and this is a critical strategy if we are to lead learners into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), as well as make a dent in our high unemployment figures and drive greater financial inclusion in society.
“While it is widely asserted that teachers are not solely responsible for learner achievement, it must be acknowledged that they are uniquely well-positioned to make a profound impression,” the report Understanding Teacher Professionalisation in South Africa points out.
Teacher development has a significant impact on student learning, particularly when it comes to Initial Teacher education (ITE), according to Nick Taylor, senior research fellow at JET Education Services. Focusing on subject matter knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge is vital, along with mentorship, coaching and peer-to-peer learning among educators. These interventions help teachers to learn better, continually review their procedures and attitudes, and pursue personal development.
Ensuring the two aspects of teacher quality
There are essentially two aspects of teacher quality: qualifications (access to high-quality institutional academic and professional learning for the purpose of teaching – both for teacher preparation and career path development) and quality teaching in the world of work (classroom/school).
The latter depends upon continued professional learning. The Department of Basic Education’s online learning space offers resources for professional development that encompass both Initial Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Teacher Development.
Teacher development interventions typically take the form of workshops and training courses, mentorship programmes and bursaries/residencies. Professional learning communities are also encouraged, as teachers need to engage in lifelong professional development to keep abreast of changes in the curriculum and society.
Models of intervention for investing in teacher development
1. Workshops and training courses
Teachers frequently attend workshops and training courses (including online) to enhance their knowledge and skills, which in turn allows them to provide learners with quality education. These also provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, and help educators to share knowledge and update their skills to ensure that they continue to provide learners with relevant, quality education.
Attending workshops and training courses accredited by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) allows educators to claim professional development (PD) points. SACE registration is mandatory for all educators.
SACE-accredited courses:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has established a platform of 147 District Teacher Development Centres (DTDCs) nationwide. Teachers can access CPTD courses and teacher professional learning communities from these DTDCs. Vodacom and UNISA have partnered with the DBE to develop the ICT skills of teachers and have equipped most of the DTDCs with ICT resources and internet connectivity.
- Osizweni Science Centre: Teacher support workshops
- Vodacom: Digital classroom teacher centres
- Edunova: Educator professional development programme
- STADIO (formerly Embury Institute of Higher Education): courses for teachers
- Penreach: Teacher development workshops
- Primary Science programme (PSP) Innovation Project
- Edufundi: Teach Like a Champion Programme
2. Mentorship programmes for teacher development
Mentorship programmes effectively aid teacher development by helping educators reach their full potential in a supportive, enabling environment. Mentors are often experienced educators or experts in the field, which means that they can relate to the challenges faced by teachers within the school environment.
- South African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Programme (SAMSTIP)
- SEED Education Trust school and district leadership programmes
- South African Extraordinary Schools Coalition (SAESC)
3. In-school support
In this model, the focus is on assisting educators by providing on-site training, support or resources that inspire improvement within the school or classroom. This leads to a more enabling and supportive environment for teachers which, in turn, creates a better environment for learning.
- Jet Education Services: eMpela
- Schools Development Unit teacher professional development
- Adopt-a-School Foundation’s whole school development model
- Global Teachers Institute Future Leaders Programme
4. Bursaries/residencies for further education
Many teachers would like to further their professional development in education but lack the funding to do so. Recently, there has been a heightened awareness of the challenges faced by educators in South Africa, especially (but not exclusively) in areas of maths and science, literacy and ICT. This has led to a variety of bursaries being offered, enabling current educators to enhance their existing skills and learn new areas of expertise. There is a variety of education and teaching bursaries available in South Africa.
5. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
The Department of Basic Education sees PLCs as a scalable professional development solution to address learning barriers.
- Inclusive Education South Africa: A PLC was set up between the Kleinzee Centre for Learning and Development, the Ferdinand Brecher Primary School, and Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School in the Northern Cape. It yielded significant results, leading to more intra-school PLCs being established.
- In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), the Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) initiated 12 inter-school pilot PLCs among foundation and intermediate phase teachers from public ordinarily, full-service and special schools in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape during 2017 and 2018. Findings show that participation in the pilot improved the knowledge and skills of teachers and supported them to adapt their teaching strategies to reach all learners.
Other resources for teacher development
- Innovation Edge’s MathsUp app is used by Grade R teachers to access fun and relatable maths CAPS-aligned content to help their teaching practice.
- Vodacom’s Digital Classroom web-based teaching materials include teacher professional development resources.
- Pearson’s free teaching resources available on Classroom Solutions assist educators to become more effective teachers.
- The Schools Development Unit offers a number of courses structured specifically to improve in-service teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogy, with an explicit focus on classroom teaching.