Photo by: Bloomberg
The R85-million School Capacity and Innovation Programme (SCIP), introduced in South Africa by the US Embassy in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and aimed at bolstering teacher training in the country, has proven successful.
In 2014, the programme supported training for more than 63 000 South African teachers and teaching assistants in more than 600 schools.
DBE deputy director-general Vivienne Carelse applauded the SCIP partnership, stating that she was confident the South African schooling system would improve for the better.
Aimed at improving academic achievement in primary school learners through effective teacher development and enhanced school management, SCIP supported a variety of programmes that focus on essential classroom building blocks, such as lesson plan development, reading programmes and student-centered learning strategies.
Beyond the classroom, the programme had also helped develop computer-based assessment tools, teacher recruitment programmes and connected young learners with volunteer tutors.
US Agency for International Development (USAID), together with philanthropic assistance provider Elma Foundation and the JPMorgan Foundation also contributed towards SCIP.
USAID Southern Africa mission director Cheryl Anderson noted that teachers were the single most important factor that influenced the quality of education.
“We are proud to work together with the DBE to ensure that current and future teachers receive the training needed to prepare them to deliver a high-quality education to the next generation of South Africa's learners,” she said.