“This year has been so unexpected. As I write this in September 2020, we are still dealing with the daily uncertainties brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic. It has been a mixed bag of emotions for me. Mainly I want to indicate how proud I am of our Circuit, how we moved together to deal with the situation. The cooperation was due to our principals, teachers and parents along with the District Office. Even now our Circuit depends on this ongoing cooperation and coordination.
We have survived with the help of NGOs and Uplands Outreach came on board quickly, to help us keep moving. We are so glad to have been adopted by you. This year we have been grateful for the Digital Literacy skills you imparted to our school leaders and teachers. We learnt about Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom and were able to connect in the darkest days of lockdown. Thank you for the data, for the airtime, for the Personal Protective Equipment, for the thermometers, and for the confidence to use computers. As a result, we are a stable Circuit and we continued without too many disruptions.
If it were not for the brave school principals in the Circuit, I would have collapsed. I am not a cry-baby, but some of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) situations were so taxing, open for misinterpretation and seemed insurmountable. Every day brought mountains of new information to process and implement. My school principals stood together and gave me hope and energy to continue.”
M NyambiCircuit Manager (Insikazi School Circuit, Mpumalanga, 2020)
“As the Head Teacher of Rathfern Primary School and Network Lead for the CCT Research Network in Lewisham (London, UK) I had the privilege of visiting South Africa in November 2019, together with a contingent of other UK Head Teachers. We spent several weeks visiting our partner schools in the Insikazi circuit, who participate in the British Council’s Connecting Classroom Campaign. My observations in the classrooms across the many schools was a team of passionate and determined educators lead by dedicated female school leaders under exceptionally challenging circumstances.
The powerful resourcefulness, creativity and commitment of teachers was evident in the teaching and learning across the classrooms. Classrooms were print rich, vibrant, stimulating and had a palpable warmth of spirit. The schools had embraced the development of the Sustainable Development Goals across the schools. The SDGs were promoting ‘envisioning’ – pupils and teachers being able to imagine a better future. I was inspired, humbled and enriched as a leader and educator – thank you!”
N MaharasingamHead Teacher (London, UK)
“As the Head Teacher of Rathfern Primary School and Network Lead for the CCT Research Network in Lewisham (London, UK) I had the privilege of visiting South Africa in November 2019, together with a contingent of other UK Head Teachers. We spent several weeks visiting our partner schools in the Insikazi circuit, who participate in the British Council’s Connecting Classroom Campaign. My observations in the classrooms across the many schools was a team of passionate and determined educators lead by dedicated female school leaders under exceptionally challenging circumstances.
The powerful resourcefulness, creativity and commitment of teachers was evident in the teaching and learning across the classrooms. Classrooms were print rich, vibrant, stimulating and had a palpable warmth of spirit. The schools had embraced the development of the Sustainable Development Goals across the schools. The SDGs were promoting ‘envisioning’ – pupils and teachers being able to imagine a better future. I was inspired, humbled and enriched as a leader and educator – thank you!”
Mr Elmon JomoMaths teacher at Mgwenyane Primary School, in the Insikazi School Circuit, 2020
“In my professional opinion, there is no doubt that Uplands Outreach is highly effective and making a tremendous impact in the Insikazi Circuit. They are unquestionably achieving their vision, mission and stated objectives; donors can rest assured that their funds are in excellent hands. Uplands Outreach can be commended as a national leader in this field.”
PL BrinkIndependent Evaluator (2020)
“The hallmark of Uplands Outreach, reflected in both beneficiary and donor comments, is the dedicated, passionate, personal attention given to the project, resulting in a very positive relationship between Uplands Outreach, the Department of Education and most particularly the Circuit Manager and school leadership teams…it is clear that the programme has been exceptionally successful.”
D GearIndependent Evaluator (2020)
