The first graduates of Sasol's Teacher Development Initiative recently graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). These teachers are now equipped to offer a high standard of teaching, while also acting as a learning resource for other teachers.

 
Sasol sponsored the tuition for 30 teachers in Fezile Dabi district in the Free State, as part of its core objective in creating value, to improve their conceptual knowledge in further education training (FET) mathematics and science.
 
Through the Boitjhorisong Resource Centre, this teacher development initiative equips teachers with appropriate skills, knowledge, values and attitudes that will enhance their teaching capacity in FET.
 
"We're delighted to have our first set of graduates from this development initiative. They now have the opportunity to approach their work reinvigorated and with a re-freshed mindset to offer their learners the high teaching standards that they themselves have experienced," says Pamilla Mudhray, Group community affairs manager, Sasol.
 
The teachers registered as students with NMMU to attend three Saturday classes a month and during school holidays, where teachers attended eleven consecutive days. The sessions comprised of contact facilitation, assessment sessions, as well as presentations.
 
"Our approach to sustained development is identifying areas in education that need support. By equipping teachers with additional training and skills will allow them to become more effective teachers. It is through this approach that Sasol assists in ensuring the foundations are laid to create long-term and sustainable value to the communities in which we operate," says Mudhray.
 
Academic performance was highly commendable with all teachers passing their courses well. Two of the modules, Computer Competency and Teaching and Learning Strategies, saw the entire class achieve an average of 100% for both modules.
 
"The real impact from programmes such as this one is that not only do the learners benefit; these teachers themselves become resources of learning to other teachers in the area. The long-term effect on local education is significant with potentially spectacular outcomes," concludes Mudhray.