Empowering Teachers: A Collaborative Future for Education
Teachers play a vital role in shaping the success of education systems, yet their voices are often absent from policy discussions. In response to global calls for a renewed social contract for education, the webinar brought educators, policymakers, and stakeholders together to explore how teachers’ insights, experiences, and needs can build a more equitable and effective education system. Aligned with UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative and South Africa’s efforts to tackle educational inequities, this Education Conversation in partnership with the University of Johannesburg emphasised the importance of teacher agency, collaborative decision-making, and systemic support.
If you missed the webinar, you can view the recording below.
Facilitator & Speaker Bio’s
Prof. Kathija Yassim
Is the facilitator of the Leadership Conference, as she is invested in the education space, and her work is focused on related areas.
Prof. Yassim teaches postgraduate education leadership programmes and coordinates the online Masters in Education Leadership and Management Programme. Her research interests include leading Education for 21st-century skills development and cultivating future fit and innovative leadership in South African schools. She leads the school culture stream projects for the Sandbox in partnership with the NECT.
Professor Kenneth Mlungisi Ngcoza
Presentation Topic: The Critical Role of Science Teachers’ Voices: Can Indigenous Research Agendas Foster Transformative Agency?
Download the presentation here.
Professor Kenneth Ngcoza is a Science Education Professor at Rhodes University, involved in various academic and leadership roles. He chairs GADRA and is part of the Vice Chancellor’s school initiative. His research focuses on science curriculum, professional development, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and Citizenship Education. He has published extensively and holds leadership positions in academic associations. Prof Ngcoza participates in multiple local and international research projects. He also serves on the Research in Science and Technological Education Journal Editorial Board.
Prof Hilda Israel
Presentation Topic: Teachers Change the World, One Child at a Time.
Download the presentation here.
Professor Hilda Israel, Dean of Education at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), is an expert in teaching, assessment, and applied language studies. She chairs the UMP Institutional Forum and the Teaching & Learning Committee. Her research focuses on multilingualism, curriculum Africanisation, and educational assessment, and she has led international projects in translator training for African languages. In her teaching, Prof Israel addresses key social issues like inequality, HIV-AIDS, and climate change.
To learn more about the webinar you can email: info@kagiso.co.za.