District Officials are instrumental in the process of improving, innovating and enhancing teaching and learning in public schools. They play a pivotal role in the education system through overseeing and supporting schools to strengthen, enhance and improve teaching and learning in schools. The notion of having district officials to oversee and support schools, has its roots in the broader development of the public education system which evolved in different countries over the years. This concept became more formalised in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly as Government recognised the need for a structured education management at district level.
As an institute that strives to strengthen, support and enhance education in the Gauteng province, the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG) has the onus to sustain and maintain this imperative concept, to ensure that public schools are supported and properly managed to produce better results. MGSLG has been, and continues to ensure that District Officials are supported and empowered with the skills and expertise required in the process of supporting curriculum delivery and implementation at schools. From the 26 until the 27th of February 2025 174 District Official from all 15 districts in the Gauteng Province were trained on Curriculum Delivery and Support Guidelines. The training took place at the Radisson Blue Gautrain Hotel in Sandton.
This programme aimed to extend the current curriculum delivery and support programme designed for school based SMT, by addressing the roles and responsibilities that District Officials have in relation to the functions they fulfil as first line managers outside of the schooling environment. It also aims to extend the concept of leadership, to encourage accountability in terms of academic achievement at all levels, and to build collaboration through highlighting the importance of all stakeholder involvement and engagements regarding curriculum support. This programme also aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective people management with the aim of minimising workplace conflict and disputes through teamwork and joint responsibility across various units at District and Head Office. The target audience for this programme were from different Directorates at Provincial and District Level such as: Assessment Directorate, Public Ordinary Schools Directorate, Circuit Teams, and Curriculum Directorate.
Mr Ethel Mazibuko a newly appointed District Official from Gauteng West, sharing her perspective about the Training…
“The training session was so informative and exciting. I really loved the way facilitators presented the sessions and the practical examples they made. Even the discussions that happened amongst us as participants were, fun, exciting, and informative. The training was more targeted at upskilling us as newly appointed officials, and the topics that were covered really gave us solutions to the challenges that we are experiencing as district officials. I found it to be developmental, however, I feel like the duration of the workshop wasn’t enough, I really wish that next time we will have more time to share challenges and ideas’’.
Curriculum Delivery and Support Guidelines training is essential in ensuring effective and holistic support that underpins a high level of school performance in line with the strategic goals of the Provincial Department of Education. It has therefore been adopted as a key element in the Induction of Newly Appointed District Officials.