Twelve pre-school teachers complete training towards an ECD NQF Level 4 qualification
Mon, 6 September 2010
"Through learning together with others and sharing ideas and experiences, I can improve my ECD centre." -Jabulile
This project provided training for 12 pre-school teachers towards a recognised professional qualification. At the end of the year the beneficiaries will each be awarded a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 professional qualification in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Their improved skills will enhance the quality of education for children in the remote communities in which they live. Each trainee will benefit from follow-up support visits to their ECD Centre to ensure that the learning is being properly applied. The project started in April 2009 and was completed in June 2010.
Impact
The 12 trained pre-school teachers will receive their accredited certification for the qualification at the end of the year, once the EDP SETA assessments are concluded. The fieldworkers, as well as the student reports and reflections, show that all 12 teachers have grown and developed because of this training, both as individuals and as pre-school teachers. Their improvements have had a positive effect on the 326 children in the care of the students as they are now receiving improved, quality, pre-school education. The LETCEE Fieldworkers observed that students were making use of the skills and resources including detailed lesson plans and spatial planning. The children at the ECD centres were responding positively to the changes implemented by their teachers.
Activities
The last two modules were completed and followed up by support visits during which the field workers conducted their assessments of the pre-school teachers. Some students required additional support. This was catered for by scheduling a ninth module for these students. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions in areas in which they were still unsure. LETCEE gave the students assistance to complete their portfolios for final assessment. These portfolios have been submitted for final evaluation by ETDP SETA. The final assessment and certification are yet to be completed. The ETDP SETA will verify the students' results and load them onto the National Learner Record Database. Thereafter, statements of results and certificates will be issued. Students will be invited to attend enrichment workshops which LETCEE occasionally conducts. All students have expressed the desire to continue their learning with LETCEE and wish to commence with the Higher Certificate in ECD at NQF Level 5.
Expenditure
The cost of the project is R132, 600 and has been fully paid.
| Description | Total Budget | Total Expenses to Date |
| Training, Assessment | 60 000 | 60 000 |
| Accommodation & Meals | 33 600 | 33 600 |
| Training Materials | 21 000 | 19 000 |
| Support Visits | 18 000 | 18 000 |
| TOTAL | 132 600 | 130 600 |
The R2000 shortfall in spending is earmarked for the final support visit.
Challenges
The main challenge of this project was the time delays required to accommodate extended winter school holidays. All training modules, assignments and portfolios were finally completed in June 2010. One student was hospitalised and could not attend classes for the last module. LETCEE arranged for her to catch-up by attending a training session on the same module with a different group of Level 4 students.
Although the assessment and moderation processes are complete, the ETDP SETA has delayed the process of verification as they have been unable to conduct the mandatory verification visit. LETCEE is still waiting to hear from ETDP SETA to finalise the dates for the verification visit.
Monitoring and evaluation
LETCEE has a continuous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) protocol which includes registers, reports, and discussions with community caregivers and parents within the communities in which the trainees operate. Questionnaires completed by these parties also provide data. This data is captured onto their M&E system, the results of which are discussed in this report.
Students completed tasks which were assessed on an ongoing basis. These tasks formed part of a course portfolio, which will be assessed to determine their competence and the awarding of the NQF Level 4 qualification at the end of the year.
In addition, students completed workshop evaluation forms on all the modules, which indicate that all participants were broadly satisfied with the course, and that they value the training they have received.
Conclusions
This project has successfully trained 12 pre-school teachers working in rural KwaZulu-Natal, giving them access to a professional qualification in their field of work. This was achieved despite some challenges, delays to accommodate extended winter school holidays, and the delay of ETDP SETA in verifying the students' results.
Students and LETCEE fieldworkers reported vast improvements in the teaching style of the students. Students are due to graduate at the end of the year once the ETDP SETA's verification is completed.
