On Wednesday, 21 September, the Work-integrated Learning office hosted a stakeholder debriefing session on the Groenkloof Campus. Various principals, WIL coordinators and mentor teachers from schools attended the afternoon event, themed ‘Heritage’. The dean, HODs and mentor lecturers engaged with schools as our stakeholders’ unique contributions were celebrated and insightful discussions took place.

The Dean, Prof Sehoole, spoke about our Faculty and the work we do to prepare teachers for the workplace. A representative of the Work-integrated Learning office shared more about its functioning and informed the audience of new developments related to the Work-integrated Learning System and the finalisation of the Memorandum of Agreement with schools. Valuable feedback and information was received from the representatives from schools. The placements of students and the experiences of schools relating to student teachers were also discussed.

The participants acknowledged the quality of UP Faculty of Education students, highlighting their excellent technological skills. Communication with schools, the professionalism of students when gaining teaching experience at schools and the number of student teachers who require positions were discussed. The schools indicated that our students are mostly well prepared and employable in the authentic workplace.
The Work-integrated Learning office expressed gratitude for gifts and specifically acknowledged the role mentor teachers play in the development of pre-service teachers. The Relationships were strengthened and the schools provided the Work-integrated Learning office with valuable input and feedback to consider
and work on.