Monthly Archives: February 2012

Tony Mays reflects on a recent meeting of education-oriented NGOs
On Wednesday 08 February, 2012, I attended a meeting of a selection of education-oriented NGOs in Rustenburg. The meeting explored innovative approaches to recruiting and supporting prospective and practising teachers and illustrated the role that the private sector can play in being more quickly responsive to emerging needs and opportunities than the public sector and in exploring models that might be adopted, adapted or used to augment the formal programmes offered in the public sector. Here is snapshot of some of the initiatives I learned about.
Inzalo Foundation
Key approach: Provision of mentorship to science / science education students registered with Unisa who work with learners visiting the Foundation’s science centre and also participate in roving science exhibitions (in a fleet of specially equipped vehicles) at schools providing hands-on experiments for teachers, learners and sometimes even parents, many of which are based on the use of everyday artifacts.
Infundo Consulting
Key approach: Supplementing the Teach SA programme by providing leadership training to strong disciplinary graduates working in schools. Has noted a marked improvement in pass rates in schools in which it works and has tried to focus on the “difficult” staff and develop them into leaders. The approach is based on partnerships focusing on different areas of expertise aiming “to get the system alive again” to create a conducive environment for further training and support.

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