Education MEC David Maynier recently visited the Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute to hear from senior teachers and managers.
Education MEC David Maynier paid an impromptu visit last week to the Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute, to encourage its teaching staff and seek advice on how to better support schools.
During his visit on Wednesday July 13, he found several principals and circuit managers working at the institute over the school holidays.
The MEC has been on a listening tour since he took over the portfolio in May.
The institute is situated on New Nooiensfontein Drive in Kuils River, where the Bellville Teaching College site was previously. It offers an array of training facilities for teachers and boasts auditoriums, conference rooms, catering facilities, and accommodation for programmes that took place over two weeks during the school holidays.
Mr Maynier said the institute gives financial support for staff wishing to further their post-graduation studies.
The funding also allows deputy principals and school heads of department to further their studies by obtaining the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management through UCT and Stellenbosch University.
Furthermore, Mr Maynier said, the institute houses the department’s education library and information service, which ensures teachers and officials have access to management, research, and curriculum-related resources to support them.
The WCED said in a statement that the institute has an online training component, which was expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the facility to increase its trainees from 2 847 in 2020/21 to 10 924 in 2021/22.
A group of principals and circuit managers were attending the recruitment and selection training during the MEC’s visit.
The institute’s director, Granville Stander, said teachers were encouraged by Mr Maynier’s visit and the MEC’s acknowledgement of the role the institute played was affirming.
“This allowed teachers and circuit managers to share some of the pressing challenges they are currently facing in their schools,” Mr Stander said.
Mr Maynier said: “Thank you for all that you do to ensure that our children get the best possible education that they can. And every teacher and official who gave up some of their holidays to improve their skills – a testament to your dedication to our students.”