Nature of the engagement activity/project
The Integrated Schools Development and Improvement Project
This project aims at the promotion of more effective school management and administration as well as improved overall literacy skills (including science, mathematics, financial and information technology literacy). It is also designed to allow schools to identify and act on problems they identify as important in their particular context and to provide pro-active support in clearly identified areas of need, viz. mathematics, science and language/literacy.
In terms of pro-active support, the project utilizes an additive multi-language approach to enhance language learning outcomes. This approach addresses the need for developing written materials in both mother tongue and English. In turn, the science and mathematics aspects of the project focus on developing teachers to enable their learners to read, write, talk, plan, do, argue, reason and present findings in both their home language and the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT).
The Integrated Schools Development and Improvement Project
This project aims at the promotion of more effective school management and administration as well as improved overall literacy skills (including science, mathematics, financial and information technology literacy). It is also designed to allow schools to identify and act on problems they identify as important in their particular context and to provide pro-active support in clearly identified areas of need, viz. mathematics, science and language/literacy.
In terms of pro-active support, the project utilizes an additive multi-language approach to enhance language learning outcomes. This approach addresses the need for developing written materials in both mother tongue and English. In turn, the science and mathematics aspects of the project focus on developing teachers to enable their learners to read, write, talk, plan, do, argue, reason and present findings in both their home language and the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT).
The project originally had six components, viz.:
(1) The school leaders support programme
(2) Language and literacy
(3) Science Literacy (SLP)
(4) Mechanics in Physics (SLP)
(5) Mathematical reasoning (SLP)
(6) Training and support in FET mathematics
(1) The school leaders support programme
(2) Language and literacy
(3) Science Literacy (SLP)
(4) Mechanics in Physics (SLP)
(5) Mathematical reasoning (SLP)
(6) Training and support in FET mathematics
Expressed needs by the participants resulted in:
* The development and offering of a 'Financial Management in Schools' SLP
* Offering a computer literacy non-formal course
* A 'Promoting Physical Activity in Schools' intervention
School leaders were introduced to action research strategies that enabled them to identify areas of concern and act upon them. Once areas of concern were articulated, the project assisted the school leaders to find solutions to the problems identified. In-school mentoring support was provided. As mentioned above, the school leaders support programme involved assisting schools with strategic planning, implementation of school development and improvement plans, and providing training and support in financial management and computer skills.
In 2011 the project targeted teachers and principals from 49 schools identified jointly with the Department of Education in the Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage districts.
* The development and offering of a 'Financial Management in Schools' SLP
* Offering a computer literacy non-formal course
* A 'Promoting Physical Activity in Schools' intervention
School leaders were introduced to action research strategies that enabled them to identify areas of concern and act upon them. Once areas of concern were articulated, the project assisted the school leaders to find solutions to the problems identified. In-school mentoring support was provided. As mentioned above, the school leaders support programme involved assisting schools with strategic planning, implementation of school development and improvement plans, and providing training and support in financial management and computer skills.
In 2011 the project targeted teachers and principals from 49 schools identified jointly with the Department of Education in the Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage districts.
The aims and objectives of the project were:
(a) to assist and enable schools to identify and solve issues of concern in their particular environment
(b) improved teacher and learner achievement in science, mathematics and language
(c) the development of appropriate support programmes (both non-formal and formal short learning programmes)
(d) to research issues pertinent to the project and publish the findings
(e) develop ties with official department of education structures to maximize chances of the interventions having a
sustainable effect
(a) to assist and enable schools to identify and solve issues of concern in their particular environment
(b) improved teacher and learner achievement in science, mathematics and language
(c) the development of appropriate support programmes (both non-formal and formal short learning programmes)
(d) to research issues pertinent to the project and publish the findings
(e) develop ties with official department of education structures to maximize chances of the interventions having a
sustainable effect
Internal and external partners
The internal partners in the project were academics and support staff in the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the NMMU Trust, members of the NMMU IT support services. External partners were the Department of Education, Childline, the General Motors Foundation and corporate sponsors (DG Murray Trust and Hermann Ohlthaver Trust).
The internal partners in the project were academics and support staff in the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the NMMU Trust, members of the NMMU IT support services. External partners were the Department of Education, Childline, the General Motors Foundation and corporate sponsors (DG Murray Trust and Hermann Ohlthaver Trust).
Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes of the project were:
* Collegial relationships with the Department of Education
* Voluntary participation in the project across the spectrum of activities by a number of teachers and principals in
each of the selected schools
* A throughput and retention rate of above 70% in the programmes offered
* Appropriate action research projects in each of the participating schools
* Measurable improved management, teaching and learning in the schools
* Research studies in aspects of the programme
* Publications
* Materials for future use in the same or similar projects
The expected outcomes of the project were:
* Collegial relationships with the Department of Education
* Voluntary participation in the project across the spectrum of activities by a number of teachers and principals in
each of the selected schools
* A throughput and retention rate of above 70% in the programmes offered
* Appropriate action research projects in each of the participating schools
* Measurable improved management, teaching and learning in the schools
* Research studies in aspects of the programme
* Publications
* Materials for future use in the same or similar projects
The project is linked to all four of the NMMU engagement categories (Click here).