Expansion into the Western Cape

Just two years old, TEACH South Africa is going national; from being based in Gauteng, to now operating in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces.

According to Joy Olivier, Western Cape regional manager for TEACH South Africa, the organisation’s expansion into the Western Cape came about as a result of a demand from the province.

“I joined TEACH South Africa in April, 2009 and originally rollout to the Western Cape was planned for 2011,” says Olivier, “but there was a real need and support for the programme here and so that’s how it started.”

Olivier says that after many conversations with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and with the help of two dedicated district directors, Eugene Daniels and Melvyn Caroline, the organisation signed a memorandum of agreement in time to get TEACH Ambassadors into schools this year.

And while Olivier is delighted to have the eight TEACH Ambassadors assigned to the WCED, she is fully aware of the pressure on them to perform.

“I’m really hoping our TEACH Ambassadors are successful in improving learner achievements,” says Olivier. “It’s our first year in the Western Cape so we need to show that the programme works and hopefully get more posts allocated for 2011.”

“So far they are doing really well. It’s very challenging. One of our TEACH Ambassadors is the only physics teacher in his school. Another spent the first few days trying to ensure there were enough chairs and textbooks. But they’re really stepping up to it and it’s really exciting and inspiring.”

Olivier adds that the schools the TEACH Ambassadors have been placed at are “very happy to have them and are very committed to supporting them”.

“Each of them has a mentor who is helping them with lesson plans,” says Olivier. “The mentors TEACH South Africa uses are very experienced and good teachers. The principals and heads of department at the various schools have been very forthcoming and have been an enormous help.”

Olivier explains that in addition to the support from the schools, TEACH South Africa has also partnered with the Institute for Maths and Science Teaching, Stellenbosch University, which provides training and support for teachers and has recruited Jean Alfeld, an ex-English teacher and trained psychologist. Alfeld’s appointment serves a dual role, providing support in English as well as providing psychological support for the TEACH Ambassadors.

“Our TEACH Ambassadors are facing a massive challenge and are under a lot of pressure, but they’re getting all the support we can provide for them and we know we will achieve great results in the year ahead.”