97% of Teachers Report Practical Gains from Oxford National Workshop Programme

The workshops are designed to help teachers use curriculum-aligned learning materials more effectively, strengthen lesson planning and manage classroom realities such as curriculum pacing, mixed learner readiness and large class demands.

Nationally, teacher development remains a priority. The Department of Basic Education has noted that South Africa employs around 405,000 educators in the public sector, with demand expected to rise to about 428,000 by 2030 if the current learner-educator ratio of 29.8:1 is to be maintained. In North West, Funza Lushaka teacher placement data shows that 2,436 of 2,543 trained educators were placed between 2013 and August 2023, a 96% placement rate.

“Teachers in North-West are showing strong commitment to strengthening their classroom practice,” says Bella Tsotetsi, National Workshops, Training and Product Manager at Oxford. “Textbooks provide structure and curriculum alignment. Teacher development helps bring those resources to life. When teachers have access to practical training, they are better supported to plan lessons, manage pacing and respond to the realities of their classrooms.”

Simpson says feedback from Oxford's national workshop programme shows that 97% of participating teachers agree the content supports their teaching practice. The most commonly reported benefits include improved teacher confidence, stronger lesson planning and more effective learner engagement.

In North-West, this support reaches teachers across urban and rural contexts, including communities served by schools in Rustenburg, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, Brits and surrounding towns.

“Teacher support has to be relevant to the conditions teachers face every day,” adds Tsotetsi. “A workshop is most valuable when teachers leave with strategies they can apply immediately, whether they are managing different learner levels, working through curriculum requirements or looking for better ways to use the resources already available to them.”

The focus on teacher development aligns with wider calls for sustained professional support. Textbooks support curriculum coverage. Workshops help teachers use those materials with clearer planning, pacing and assessment strategies.

“Improving learning outcomes requires consistent support for the people who stand in front of learners every day,” says Tsotetsi. "Teachers remain central to learner success, and investing in their development is one of the most practical ways to support schools.”

Teachers and school leaders in North-West can explore upcoming Oxford workshops and teaching resources at https://oxford.co.za/workshops/.

Additional teaching resources and Oxford’s Foundation Phase catalogue can be access here: https://bit.ly/48oathZ