Three Times the Tests can be the Charm

Tests… a word that is sure to form an army of knots in any learner’s stomach. Teachers however, can be very excited when this word comes up in their work environment. Continued teacher development is key to make sure that positions in education do not become stagnant or sub-standard.

SACE (South African Council for Educators) has implemented the CPTD Management System. CPTD stands for Continuing Professional Teacher Development. Like all professionals, teachers need to grow their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. Most professional bodies expect their members to engage in professional development activities. The CPTD system will help teachers organise their professional development in order to achieve the maximum benefit. The system will be managed by SACE with the support of the education departments. The CPTD system was announced in the National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development published by the Minister of Education in 2007. Since then SACE and the education departments have been designing and planning the system. The system is explained as follows:

1^st Cohort (first CPTD Cycle starts from January 2014 – December 2016 and thereafter every three years)

The first cohort will combine Principals and Deputy-principals. This will assist the phasing-in process because the numbers are small as compared to the HOD’s and the rest of the teachers. Secondly, having learned from the processes on introducing new initiatives and policies in the system, it is important that the principals and deputy-principals go through the system first so that they can be able to create a culture of ongoing development in their schools, be in a strong position to support their educators from an informed position, and manage the implementation of the CPTD system at school level.

2^nd Cohort (first CPTD Cycle starts from January 2015 – December 2017 and thereafter every three years)

The second cohort will be Heads of Departments (HOD’s). Again the HOD’s will be in a better position to support their staff on the implementation of the CPTD system.

3^rd Cohort (first CPTD Cycle starts from January 2016 – December 2018 and thereafter every three years)

The third cohort will be post-level 1 teachers. Their buy-in into the CPTD system will be enhanced since their seniors would have gone through the process already.

So, how exactly will this system work? Only relevant and good quality teacher development activities will be endorsed by SACE and professional development (PD) points will be awarded. Each teacher will have a PD points account with SACE that will be credited with the points they have earned. Each teacher will be expected to earn a 150 PD points during the three-year cycle. Teachers will be kept on their toes and be rewarded accordingly. SACE will evaluate the teacher development activities and decide if the meet the SACE standards. The criteria will be used to evaluate teachers.

What does endorsement of professional development activities mean? SACE’s endorsement of PD activities will mean that SACE has evaluated and approved a proposed continuing professional teacher development activity.

• A SACE Approved Provider has submitted a proposed teacher development activity to SACE for endorsement
• A SACE evaluator has evaluated the activity and made a positive recommendation ● SACE’s Endorsement Sub-committee has certified that the activity meets each of the SACE criteria, taken as a whole, at a satisfactory level
• SACE’s Endorsement Sub-committee has endorsed the proposed activity for a maximum of three years
• The SACE Approved Provider may offer the endorsed activity for a maximum of three years

Just think, if there is a constant evaluation system teachers do not have to be discouraged when the time for giving back to them comes along. If teachers are hard workers they will not have to worry to fall under the same mediocre evaluations system when it comes to a proper raise.

Time is money and the more time and points you put into your future dear teacher, the more you will be rewarded!

To find out more about SACE and CPTD points, you can visit their website by clicking here.