Leadership and Teaching for Diversity

Low learning outcomes in South African primary schools are a result of the lack of quality. This has a cumulative negative effect in the subsequent school years, resulting in high drop-out rates. A culture and pedagogy of inclusivity is needed to avoid drop-out of vulnerable learners. Inclusivity needs to be addressed through the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of school leaders and teachers, and supported at national, provincial and district level. The VVOB 2017-2021 multi-year programme addresses this by partnering with (i) stakeholders at national level (the Department of Basic Education and the South African Council for Educators), (ii) at provincial level, (the Provincial Departments of Education of Free State and KwaZulu-Natal), and (iii) at district and school levels. Cooperation with different stakeholders at national level will support district- and school-based CPD for inclusion of all learners. Cooperation at provincial level supports the capacity development of officials to promote inclusive education and address diversity in all CPD activities. Cooperation with district officials who directly support school leaders and teachers, addresses practical implementation in schools, cooperation within district teams and feedback to the province. The programme thus aims to strengthen capacity from policy level to the implementation stage, and to improve communication and (the use of) feedback between the different phases, thereby strengthening the existing system.