The policy on the organisation, roles and responsibilities of the Education District of 2013 led to the reorganisation of educational districts into circuits. Each circuit is now managed by a circuit manager. A new position comes with new responsibilities.
From 28 to 30 September all circuit managers and their coordinators, as well as district directors and provincial officials gathered at the Fezile Dabi District Teacher Development Centre in Kroonstad to discuss their roles and responsibilities in their circuits.
Presenters shared their ideas and insights on protocols for school visits, on the implementation of improvement plans (such as), on accountability, on inclusive education, on curriculum implementation and teacher development. Participants then worked in commissions. They discussed what was learnt during the presentations and integrated this in the District, Circuit and School Improvement Plans. The MEC Tate Makgoe challenged the officials to become carriers of hope and builders of success. He asked officials to use this opportunity to reflect on processes and on their own actions, and not to be limited by the set plans and templates.
New responsibilities led to the identification of needs for further development. This workshop gave Circuit Managers knowledge about policies and national and provincial plans. However, how to bring all these insights to schools? How to engage with principals and SMTs? How to motivate and engage in change? Hence, Circuit Managers will engage in a learning path to build skills on how to better guide and coach schools towards improved learning and teaching at each school of the Free State. This capacity building will take place during the course of 2015-2016 and will be, as this workshop, supported by VVOB.
