Professional Learning Communities

Project Schools:

Kleinzee Centre for Learning and Development, Ferdinand Brecher Primary School, Dr. Izak van Niekerk Primary School


This is the fourth year of partnership with the Kleinzee Centre for learning and development, funded by The Ponohalo De Beers Trust.  This phase of the project has focused on exploring the following exit opportunities for final year learners:

  • Learnerships
  • Preparation for Workplace
  • Entrepreneurial opportunities

The Professional Learning Community was set up between the three project schools in order to create a culture of learning among teachers.  The PLC allows them to learn and grow together.  Members of the PLC set a common goal for learning and meet regularly to share experiences, research, challenges, and examples of good practice.

During the implementation of this pilot, an  IESA facilitator set up the PLC, mentored the facilitator and supported the functioning of the PLC.  The PLC has yielded significant results.  Teachers have expressed the value of participating in the PLC, which has led to the establishment of intra-school PLCs.  Inspired by the success of the pilot PLC, teachers at these schools expressed the need for continuous professional development around inclusion at their full service schools.

As a result of this pilot, IESA has incorporated this into their whole school development model which is now being implemented into schools in the Matheo District.