We have 2 ‘systems’ of public schools
5
Schools that work very well
20%5000 schools
World-class
Underperforming schools
80%20,000 schools
Not where we need
them to be
We need a shared theory of change in a complex system like this
A. Unit of change?B. Where & How to startC. Phases of ChangeD. Measurement
7
How to transform a system with 20,000 underperforming schools?
One school at a time!“The school is the largest unit of change “- John Goodlad
We need a shared theory of change in a complex system like this
A. Unit of change?B. Where & How to startC. Phases of ChangeD. Measurement
The School
We need a shared theory of change in a complex system like this
A. Unit of change?B. Where & How to startC. Phases of ChangeD. Measurement
The School
Key differentiating factors
Schools that work well in South Africa
20%
1. Principal2. Community
Three critical factors
3. Teachers
A quick comparison
Avg: 10 days per year of World-class
management & leadership training
10 years = 100 days
“The job of a school principal in an under-resourced school is the most difficult leadership task in
South Africa” – Prof Brian O’Connell and 337 PfP business
leaders
The role of the principal1. General manager & Educational leaderExecution & Alignment 1. Operations (curriculum coverage &
quality)2. Stakeholder Engagement3. Human Resource Management4. Finance5. Information Technology 6. Marketing7. Facilities management8. Conflict mediator & Marriage
counsellor9. Security convenor
A massive role
2. Change Leader
Vision
Engage & mobilise stakeholders
Develop &
Implement t
he
plan
Honest assessment of how things are
Key differentiating factor – 1 (Principals)
14
Schools that work very well
20%Underperforming schools
80%
Principals who are equipped for their
task
Skills, Experience, ExposureGeneral management training
Support in leading change
Teachers who have been promoted to the
role of principal….
Key differentiating factors
Schools that work very well
20%
1. Principal – Equipped for task
2. Community
Three critical factors
Key differentiating factor – 2 (Community)
16
Schools that work very well
20%Underperforming schools
80%
Key differentiating factors
Schools that work very well
20%
1. Principal – Equipped for task
2. Community – Engaged & Supportive
Three critical factors
3. Teachers
Key differentiating factor – 3 (Teachers)
18
Schools that work very well
20%Underperforming schools
80%Teachers feel loved,
appreciated & supported
Their eyes are shining
Teachers don’t loved / appreciated /
supportive
DisengagedDe-energized
“He said, she said”
Principal as change & community leader
19
Most principals in South Africa have
not been equipped for their task!
An innovative solution required…
ICERI2013 presentation. Seville. November 2013
An award-winning leadership development and principal support process
Business leaders and school principals in a reciprocal co-learning and co-action partnership
So far: 337 partnerships, 337 principals, 337 school communitiesHopefully many more partnerships
For principals, shaped by principals
1. We don’t want to be “fixed”2. Don’t adopt us3. Don’t dump your old stuff on us4. Reciprocal Partnerships
ICERI2013 presentation. Seville. November 2013
NQF-level 6 accredited leadership development and principal support process
Business leaders and school principals in a reciprocal co-learning and co-action partnership
SACE: Principals get 40 CPD points for completing PfP (and meeting all academic requirements as specified by UWC)
27
How does PfP work – 1
A. Action Learning – Principal support (at school) [70%]Key objective: Readiness for change at the school
Principal – Confident and energized to lead
School Management Team – Aligned and cohesive
Community of Teachers – Energized
Parents and community – Engaged
28
How does PfP work – 2
B. Learning Process Facilitator, Community of Practice [20%]Key objective: To support the work happening at the school
Every PfP partnership is part of a Leadership Circle (8-10 schools)Every Leadership Circle facilitated by Learning Process Facilitator (coach)
Principal – Confident and energized to lead
School Management Team – Aligned and cohesive
Community of Teachers – Energized
Parents and community – Engaged
COP
Laun
ch
COP
Cele
brati
on a
nd F
eedb
ack
CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP
0 6 12 18 24 28 36WEEKS
42 48 54
Portf
olio
of E
vide
nce
How does PfP work – 3
29
C. Formal training & face to face workshops (5 days) [10%]Key objective: To support the work happening at the school (just in time)
Principal – Confident and energized to lead
School Management Team – Aligned and cohesive
Community of Teachers – Energized
Parents and community – Engaged
COP
Laun
ch
COP
Cele
brati
on a
nd F
eedb
ack
CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP CoP
0 6 12 18 24 28 36WEEKS 42 48 54
Portf
olio
of E
vide
nce
Time toThink(1 day)
Consulting(2 days)
FlawlessBuilding(2 days)
Community
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What is happening at 337 schools?
Community of Committed Parents
Business leaders in awe & learning Principals supported (‘alert & awake’)
Re-energized teachersMore love and appreciation in our schools
Citizens contributing their gifts
Principals confidently leading change
Improved academic outcomes!
Social cohesion
Learners at the centre of community
Exposure for principals and teachers
Where are we working at the moment
Cape Town: 99
Stellenbosch: 14
East London: 9
Durban: 17
Johannesburg: 136
Pretoria: 35
Lephalale: 18
Letsitele: 10
2015
Our plans for 2016
Cape Town: 99
Stellenbosch: 14
East London: 9
Durban: 17
Johannesburg: 136
Pretoria: 35
Lephalale: 18
Letsitele: 10
2016
Port Elizabeth
Newcastle
NelspruitMiddelburg
Another contract from the GDE / Matthew Goniwe School of Management &
Leadership?(We love working with
the GDE)
250 schools in Durban?
Eastern Cape?