Revolutionizing Education: Nurturing, Assistance, and Advancements for Comprehensive Safe Schools

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework in South Africa aims to improve education by tackling socio-economic and health challenges faced by learners and educators. The annual conference promotes collaboration among stakeholders to establish an inclusive and secure educational environment for all learners. The 2023 conference emphasizes innovations and best practices for inclusive safe schools while empowering and protecting vulnerable children. Through knowledge sharing and partnerships, stakeholders can work together towards a brighter future for South African children.

What is the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework?

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework aims to enhance the care and support provided to both learners and educators, by tackling socio-economic and health challenges encountered by young people such as poverty, violence, homelessness, mental health issues and HIV/AIDS. The framework creates national dialogues and promotes collaboration among stakeholders to establish an inclusive and secure educational environment for all learners.

Fostering Collaboration and Addressing Challenges in Education

The Department of Basic Education in South Africa recently held its 3rd Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Conference at the Southern Sun OR Tambo Hotel. This vital event offered a platform for various stakeholders in the education sector to come together and explore ways to enhance the care and support provided to both learners and educators.

Spearheaded by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework aims to improve educational outcomes by tackling the distinct challenges encountered by learners and educators. Specifically, it aspires to assist young people in overcoming numerous socio-economic barriers, such as poverty, violence, homelessness, bullying, and substance abuse, as well as health issues like mental health problems, early pregnancies, and HIV/AIDS.

Since its inaugural conference in 2018, the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning event has been successful in creating national dialogues and promoting collaboration among stakeholders. In 2021, the virtual conference emphasized reimagining care and support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and examining strategies for recovery and continuity in education.

Innovations and Best Practices for Inclusive Safe Schools

The theme for the 2023 conference was “Transforming Education for Inclusive Safer Schools through Teaching, Learning, Care and Support Innovations.” With this goal in mind, the event sought to build on the foundations established in previous conferences and extend the platform to a wider range of partners and stakeholders. Presentations and external exhibitions displayed best practices for care and support in schools.

Moreover, the conference underscored the significance of addressing the specific needs and vulnerabilities of young men and boys in education. Societal gender norms frequently pressure boys to conceal their emotions, which can result in depression, behavioral disorders, and even gender-based violence. The conference stressed the necessity for direct interventions tailored to the unique challenges faced by male students, as well as their female peers.

Empowering and Protecting Vulnerable Children

The conference also coincided with the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl Child, highlighting the need for strategies that empower and safeguard vulnerable children and teenagers. In the upcoming months, South Africa will launch the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, further underlining the significance of gender equity and empowerment endeavors within and outside the educational sector.

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning programme has enabled partnerships between the Department of Basic Education and other departments, NGOs, development partners, and businesses. Knowledge sharing at the conference came from various government departments, civil society, and the business sector, laying the foundation for increased collaboration in achieving the national care and support mandate within the education sector.

Building a Brighter Future through Care and Support

This conference serves as a critical step in guaranteeing a brighter future for South African children by fostering innovation and progress in care and support for teaching and learning. As the educational sector continues to confront challenges related to mental health, psychosocial needs, bullying, and youth suicides, events like this serve as an invaluable platform for sharing best practices and learning from one another. By collaborating, stakeholders can establish an inclusive and secure educational environment for all learners, irrespective of their unique challenges and vulnerabilities.

1. What is the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework?

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework is an initiative in South Africa that aims to enhance the care and support provided to both learners and educators by tackling socio-economic and health challenges encountered by young people, such as poverty, violence, homelessness, mental health issues, and HIV/AIDS.

2. What is the purpose of the annual Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference?

The annual Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference aims to promote collaboration among stakeholders to establish an inclusive and secure educational environment for all learners, through knowledge sharing and partnerships.

3. What was the focus of the 2021 Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference?

The 2021 Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference emphasized reimagining care and support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and examining strategies for recovery and continuity in education.

4. What was the theme of the 2023 Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference?

The theme for the 2023 Care and Support for Teaching and Learning conference was “Transforming Education for Inclusive Safer Schools through Teaching, Learning, Care and Support Innovations.”

5. What was the significance of the International Day of the Girl Child at the 2023 conference?

The International Day of the Girl Child coincided with the 2023 conference, highlighting the need for strategies that empower and safeguard vulnerable children and teenagers.

6. What is the significance of addressing the specific needs and vulnerabilities of young men and boys in education?

Societal gender norms frequently pressure boys to conceal their emotions, which can result in depression, behavioral disorders, and even gender-based violence. The conference stressed the necessity for direct interventions tailored to the unique challenges faced by male students, as well as their female peers.

7. How has the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning programme enabled partnerships?

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning programme has enabled partnerships between the Department of Basic Education and other departments, NGOs, development partners, and businesses, laying the foundation for increased collaboration in achieving the national care and support mandate within the education sector.

8. What is the ultimate goal of the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning initiative?

The ultimate goal of the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning initiative is to establish an inclusive and secure educational environment for all learners, irrespective of their unique challenges and vulnerabilities, and to improve educational outcomes by tackling the distinct challenges encountered by learners and educators.