Every year on World Teachers’ Day in October, we celebrate educators for their role in shaping young minds. However, one South African non-profit is taking the appreciation further, empowering rural teachers with digital tools to revolutionize education for thousands of learners. The Good Work Foundation (GWF) is working to help teachers adapt to technology, driving better education outcomes, especially in Mpumalanga’s Hazyview and Bushbuckridge regions.
Empowering Teachers for Better Learning
Crispen Bvumbghe, GWF’s teacher support manager, believes that empowering teachers is the key to empowering generations of learners. His work helps teachers in rural schools integrate technology into their lessons, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences. He emphasizes that civil society and government collaboration is essential to fixing South Africa’s public education system.
“As a qualified teacher myself, I’ve seen firsthand how education can transform communities. If you empower a teacher, you empower the learners they teach every day,” says Bvumbghe.
Instead of just criticising issues like poor literacy or inadequate math skills, GWF takes action, giving teachers the tools and knowledge to make a difference. Bvumbghe highlights how often computer labs sit unused due to a lack of teacher training. GWF steps in to show educators how to utilize these digital resources, breathing life into outdated equipment.
Making Technology Work in the Classroom
The GWF provides workshops to teachers on how to use tablets, smartboards, and computers to make learning more interactive and engaging. This digital literacy is crucial as teachers are often unaware of the wealth of curriculum-based information accessible via technology. Bvumbghe explains that while books remain important, the use of technology ignites learners’ curiosity, making lessons more engaging.
“Technology allows us to prepare students for the future. Teaching children today the same way we did yesterday robs them of tomorrow,” he adds.
Teachers who have embraced this new digital teaching method now demonstrate a newfound confidence in the classroom, using technology to connect with learners in new ways. Many even use their personal time for extra training, a testament to their commitment to bettering education outcomes.
A Teacher’s Experience: The Transformation at Tfolinhlanhla Primary
One teacher who has witnessed GWF’s transformative impact is Cicilia Maggy Sambo, a retired Mathematics teacher from Tfolinhlanhla Primary School in Hazyview. Sambo recalls how GWF’s digital programmes improved her learners’ academic performance, especially in reading comprehension—a critical skill for learners transitioning from mother-tongue instruction to English-medium learning in Grade 4.
“Thanks to GWF, our school became one of the top-performing public schools in the area. I’ve had parents tell me how their grandchildren can now read subtitles on TV, effortlessly switching between languages,” Sambo shares.
While the school’s teachers are now computer literate, Sambo stresses the need for better internet connectivity to further enhance learning. The potential for technology-driven education in rural areas remains vast but requires infrastructure improvements.
The Role of GWF’s Facilitator Academy
Another cornerstone of GWF’s mission is its Facilitator Academy, which trains young educators to inspire a love of learning. The academy blends creativity, interaction, and digital literacy into lessons, with facilitators trained in coding, robotics, and emotional intelligence.
Bheki Mashaba, the Academy’s manager, believes the education system needs fresh ideas to get children excited about learning. The Academy trains about 20 facilitators each year, many of whom are absorbed back into GWF or placed in schools through the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme.
“We empower our students to understand the importance of creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment. They’re trained to make full use of gadgets to ensure the schools they go into are using their resources to full effect,” says Mashaba.
The Future of Digital Learning in South Africa
While digital tools are becoming more integrated into classrooms, Bvumbghe is clear that technology won’t replace teachers. “No computers or tablets can replace the social and emotional connections that come from human teachers. Education isn’t just about teaching ABCs, it’s about the valuable social contact teachers provide.”
Through its programmes, GWF is equipping a new generation of teachers and learners with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. By empowering educators with the tools to adapt to technological advancements, the organisation is helping to build a brighter future for South African learners.
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