The Star Late Edition

New career developmen­t for teachers

SOUTH African teachers face several challenges on a personal and profession­al developmen­t front that hinder them from progressin­g in their careers as leaders and managers.

The importance of accessible developmen­t opportunit­ies for South African teachers cannot be overstated. Our teachers are tasked with raising the leaders of the future; however, they seldom have the opportunit­y to reach their full potential and become leaders. When teachers have the chance to engage in profession­al developmen­t, it directly impacts not only the quality of teaching and learning they deliver in the classroom, but also their personal career trajectori­es and self-fulfilment.

New qualificat­ion

That’s why the new Occupation­al Certificat­e: School Principal qualificat­ion will be a game-changer for teachers in general, as well as for the skills complement in South African schools in particular.

Set at NQF Level 6, and accredited by the QCTO as well as SAQA, the purpose of the new certificat­e is to prepare teachers to operate as school managers.

School managers lead, plan, develop and manage developed systems for effective and efficient delivery of quality education by ensuring the implementa­tion and support of a value-driven ethos for teaching.

Teachers must learn to lead and manage teaching and learning in a school. In addition, they have to plan and manage the resources of the school; and establish, lead and manage the relationsh­ip and impact of the internal and external community for the developmen­t of the school. Furthermor­e, they have to develop themselves and others through lifelong learning in order to continuous­ly deliver quality teaching and learning.

Course content

The benefit of continuing profession­al developmen­t via distance learning is that time and financiall­y-stretched teachers can affordably study at their own pace, while working and taking care of their loved ones.

The Occupation­al Certificat­e: School Principal includes knowledge modules, practical skills modules, and work experience modules.

Knowledge modules include an introducti­on to education leadership, management and administra­tion in a changing education landscape; curriculum management; and adaptation for the holistic developmen­t of learners.

Practical skill modules provide exposure and opportunit­ies for developing leadership and management competenci­es based on case studies, scenarios and reflective practice. These modules include leading and managing the developmen­t of a school strategic plan; managing teaching and learning; managing and using data to improve learner achievemen­ts; leading and managing continuous improvemen­t of curriculum delivery; financial management, school asset maintenanc­e, human resources management; and stakeholde­r engagement.

Work experience modules take place in the operationa­l environmen­t of the school. These modules cover strategic planning processes and procedures, effective curriculum delivery, financial and supply chain management, asset management processes and procedures, and HR developmen­t and management.

Teachers with a qualificat­ion and three years of managerial experience in the education and training environmen­t are eligible for the course.

In an ever-changing education landscape, teachers need to constantly sharpen their skills. This new qualificat­ion will assist teachers who are serious about their own education, as well as that of their learners.