Celebrating
of social capital
building for education
improvement
NECT Story
THE NECT: A STORY OF COLLABORATIONS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ten years ago, the National Education Collaboration Trust was established with the aim to leverage and coordinate partnerships and collaborations to support the Department of Basic Education in its pursuit of the National Development Plan (NDP) goals for basic education.
As plans for the commemoration of the NECT’s ten-year milestone took shape, acentral question emerged: What had the NECT accomplished in its first decade?
This question served as a guiding principle throughout the planning process.The universal consensus from within the NECT and among its stakeholders, wasthat the NECT had successfully and innovatively harnessed its social capital toeffectively aid the country’s advancement towards a more optimal education system.
This project emerged as a pivotal outcome of the celebratory and commemorative programme. Themed “The NECT Story,” the project was conceptualised to reflect on the NECT’s first decade through the lens of those who know it best; from the initiators, staff, internal and external stakeholders and observers with interest and involvement in the education system.
2014 - 2019
Introduced the Primary School Reading Improvement Programme which 42 000 teachers 17 645 schools reached in 9 provinces 93 409 teachers reached
Launched the SAFE provide ablution facilities to 679 schools
Established the Education Technical Assistance Office (ETAO) to strengthen state capacity to deliver on strategic imperatives• Introduced the modernisation of the school administration system to advance
data-backed decision making in education
2022
Contributed to the recovery and rebuilding of the education system following the Covid-19 disruptions.
This entailed: Providing technical support for the development of curriculum-strengthening strategy, including the SA Competency Framework.
Conducting a school functionality study of 500 schools on the return to normal schooling.
Launching of the One Million African Story Book in all official languages to over 9000 schools.
2013– 2014
In the initial phase the NECT introduced the Fresh Start School Programme in 409 schools which later scaled up into the current Schools and District Improvement Programme
2020 – 2021
NECT played a strategic role in supporting the DBE with learning continuity during lockdown, preparing for the safe return to school, and laying the foundation for recovery and rebuilding
in the system.
Surveyed over 13 000 officials, teachers, parents learners of the state of the school readiness to reopen safely.
Mobilised R80 Million to support the Education Covid-19 Response Plan. Over 8 Million mobilised to refurbished KZN schools affected by the July unrest.
2013– 2014
In the initial phase the NECT introduced the Fresh Start School Programme in 409 schools which later scaled up into the current Schools and District Improvement Programme
2014 - 2019
Introduced the Primary School Reading Improvement Programme which 42 000 teachers 17 645 schools reached in 9 provinces 93 409 teachers reached
Launched the SAFE provide ablution facilities to 679 schools
Established the Education Technical Assistance Office (ETAO) to strengthen state capacity to deliver on strategic imperatives• Introduced the modernisation of the school administration system to advance
data-backed decision making in education
2020 – 2021
NECT played a strategic role in supporting the DBE with learning continuity during lockdown, preparing for the safe return to school, and laying the foundation for recovery and rebuilding
in the system.
Surveyed over 13 000 officials, teachers, parents learners of the state of the school readiness to reopen safely.
Mobilised R80 Million to support the Education Covid-19 Response Plan. Over 8 Million mobilised to refurbished KZN schools affected by the July unrest.
2022
Contributed to the recovery and rebuilding of the education system following the Covid-19 disruptions.
This entailed: Providing technical support for the development of curriculum-strengthening strategy, including the SA Competency Framework.
Conducting a school functionality study of 500 schools on the return to normal schooling.
Launching of the One Million African Story Book in all official languages to over 9000 schools.
