​The Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) Institute for Student Leadership Development recently launched the Leadership in Education short course.

A group of 40 students registered for the course that will address topics such as "Alternative learning models", "Teachers as agents of social change", "Diversity and inclusivity in education"; "Language in education" and "Educating to transform South African society".

The course was designed after the faculty's student committee – under the leadership of chairperson Mkululi (MK) Nompumza – approached the FVZS Institute and expressed a desire for such a course.

"The main objective of the course is to show prospective teachers that they can be leaders even though they might not hold official leadership positions."

MK hopes that by becoming better teachers and better South Africans, these teachers will set an example and be role models for the next generation.

Dr Leslie van Rooi, Head of the FVZS Institute, said they welcomed the student committee's request and encouraged other faculties to approach them with initiatives that will contribute to students' co-curricular experience at Stellenbosch University.

This short course coincides with SU's vision and will contribute to the development of the graduate attributes identified by the faculty, he added.

Programme manager Reneé Hector-Kannemeyer said that it is necessary to be critical about education and the current education system in South Africa and that the Leadership in Education course – as with all courses offered by the FVZS Leadership – seeks to inspire students to be conscious actors in the world.

"It is about starting a new thought movement, fuelling new ways of responding to where we are as a nation and as a continent and reigniting our imagination of what South Africa could be," she added.

The course was launched with Newberry House Montessori School as guest facilitators. They challenged students to explore alternative education models.

The objective of the Leadership in Education short course is that participants gain insight into the leadership role that prospective teachers and teachers in practice can play in improving various aspects of South African schools. Participants will also observe certain theme-related aspects of South African schools during their practice teaching period, and enter into facilitated group discussions on these aspects upon return from their practice teaching period.

Course participants will also find themselves working with fellow participants to integrate concepts, theories, and methods from two or more disciplines (other than education) to gain a richer understanding of a complex topic in South African education.

The course will continue when students return to class after their practice teaching period in the third term.