In an effort to address the uneven quality of teaching and learning across schools, the Gauteng Department of Education and Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance has launched the Virtual Solution for Twinning Schools. This initiative aims to create opportunities for schools to share resources and best practices, fostering an environment of collaboration and improvement.
Through the programme, districts pair under-resourced schools, typically located in townships or rural areas, with well-resourced schools in suburban areas. Each pair is governed by a Section 17 Governing Body, tasked with developing a constitution and a plan to enhance social cohesion, resource sharing, and academic performance. The ultimate goal is to ensure that both schools achieve learner performance rates above 90%.
The initiative promotes cultural exchange, peer teaching, coaching, and mentoring, enabling the schools to collaborate in managing learner performance, sharing exam readiness resources, and modelling effective exam preparation lessons. This collaborative approach encourages continuous improvement and support for both schools.
The pilot launch took place on September 12, 2024, pairing Halfway House Primary School with Mikateka Primary, Sunward Park High School with Reiger Park High School, and Lyndhurst Primary School with Bovet Primary. This program marks a significant step toward fostering equality and excellence in education across Gauteng.
