On August 1, 2024, we proudly hosted our first conference, under the theme “Partnerships in Practice: Improving Rural Education in the Eastern Cape”. This gathering was a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together educators, government representatives, non-profit organisations, and key stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to enhancing education in rural communities. “As much as rural learners, teachers, and schools face significant challenges, what brought us together was a shared belief in the vast potential that resides in rural communities” – Craig Paxton.
The conference was filled with meaningful discussions, learning opportunities, and plans for the future. Organisations like the Nelson Mandela Institute, Funda Wande, The Bulungula Incubator, and Nkqubela Technologies provided valuable insights into early literacy, community development, rural connectivity, and early childhood development. Their presentations captivated an audience of over 100 people and offered valuable perspectives on tackling the specific challenges that rural schools encounter. Representatives from the Department of Basic Education’s Rural Directorate and the Eastern Cape Department of Education anchored these discussions in the complex realities of government schooling, ensuring that our conversations were both aspirational and grounded.
In a shared panel of literacy organisations, Funda Wande, Nelson Mandela Institute, and Axium Education all agreed that there is ‘no need to reinvent the wheel’. As NGOs and external partners, we need to collaborate closely to avoid bombarding schools with interventions and unclear integrations. This emphasis on collaboration ensures that our efforts are streamlined and more effective, ultimately benefiting the schools and communities we serve. One powerful statement from the discussion captured the essence of this collaboration: “It doesn’t make sense to have a well-performing school next to a not-so-well-performing school. That is not collaboration” – Sibongiseni Hlalukana, Eastern Cape Department of Education Curriculum. This highlights the importance of ensuring that all schools within a community benefit from shared resources and expertise, fostering a more equitable educational landscape.
A significant highlight of the day was Axium Education’s presentation of the Public School Partnerships (PSP) Model. Over the past six years, Axium has worked closely with Chief Dumalisile of the AmaJingqi community and the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) to bring this promising new model to hard-to-reach communities. The PSP Model allows non-profit organisations like Axium to operate as School Operating Partners, providing additional capacity, flexibility, and supportive accountability to no-fee public schools. The conference provided a platform for exploring how this model might be effectively adopted by other districts and regions, both within the Eastern Cape and across the country.
As we reflect on the success of this conference, we are filled with optimism for the future. The energy, enthusiasm, and commitment displayed by all participants have set a strong foundation for the work that lies ahead – and there were a number of practical next steps that emerged which we hope will turn these good feelings into concrete actions and formalised partnerships. Craig shared the metaphor of an “exoskeleton” that supports and protects rural public schools, and the conference reaffirmed the essential role that partnerships play in this complex work. When different organisations and sectors come together with a common goal, the potential for impact is multiplied.
