Zenex Foundation Coaching Symposium

 

There is growing evidence that the provision of coaching is a critical lever for improving education outcomes. Coaching methodology is hotly debated. It is, therefore, gaining momentum in a variety of education conversations and interventions. To contribute knowledge to the discourse, the Zenex Foundation hosted its second annual symposium in Johannesburg on 31 October 2019 with a focus on Coaching in Education. The aim of the symposium was to build a deeper understanding of coaching in education, with researchers, donors and implementers of coaching programmes from across the country sharing their experiences.

The symposium was foregrounded by the Literature review of coaching in education commissioned by the Zenex Foundation in 2019, as well as the Coaching Rapid Review commissioned by the Department of Basic Education and UNICEF in 2019. The reviews provided useful insights into the state of coaching in South Africa, as well as lessons on coaching from developing and developed countries.

A high-level summary of key take-outs from the symposium is accessible on this link:

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

WORKSHOP 1: COACHING RESEARCH AND LITERATURE REVIEW

The Zenex Foundation produced a Literature Review of Coaching in Education, drawing on international literature and the evaluations. The review provides a comprehensive background on practices and approaches to coaching as a way to inform the policy, practice, funding and research of future coaching interventions in South Africa.

Literature Review on Coaching in education: by Dr Jane Hofmeyr.

How do Structured Pedagogical Programmes work? An exploration of change mechanisms in the EGRS2 by Kaitlin Alsofrom, University of the Witwatersrand.

 

WORKSHOP 2: COACHING SKILLS, NORMS AND STANDARDS

Presenting on Norms & Standards for Foundation Phase literacy coaches by Ms Jenny Katz, Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy.

What skills and competencies does a professional education coach need to have? by Ms Zola Gule.

 

WORKSHOP 3: COACHING MODELS AND APPROACHES

Provision of Virtual Coaching to Teachers: Presentation to the Zenex Foundation Coaching Symposium by Mr Masennya Dikotla, Molteno Insititue for Language and Literacy.

Funda Wande Intervention by Ms Zameka Lubelwana, Funda Wande.

Coaching Heads of Departments (HODs) to become instructional leaders by Ms Portia October (Funda Wande, formally at New Leaders Foundation).

 

PLENARY

Findings of the DBE/UNICEF Coaching Rapid Review by Ms Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, DBE.