he KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDoE) hosted a two-day workshop to train their district and provincial officials on the Lesson Study. Dr David Sekao was invited to this workshop to make a presentation on “Lesson Study: Theoretical and International perspectives”. The invitation came at an opportune time when the SMTE department has just established the Lesson Study (LSUP) as a Departmental Focus Area. In 2017 a team of subject advisors from KZN (and Free State) province attended a workshop in Japan as one of the training programmes emanating from the partnership between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

During his tenure as a Chief Education Specialist for Mathematics at the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Dr Sekao led the delegation to Japan (Naruto university of Education) to receive training on the teaching and learning of mathematics, which included, inter alia, the Lesson Study as a teacher development model. The Lesson Study is gaining prominence in numerous countries globally.

The KZNDoE workshop was aimed at cascading the Japan experiences to the officials who did not form part of the delegation. About 120 officials attended the workshop. According to Ms Busi Dladla (Director of General Education and Training band) there are about three districts that have begun to implement the Lesson Study in the KZN province, and others will soon follow suit.

The presence and participation of Ms Mcosana from the DBE, Ms Funaki and Mr Oshima from the JICA is indicative of the national and international recognition of, and the support for the implementation of the Lesson Study as one of the approaches by which continuous professional development programmes can be delivered. 

In his address, Dr Sekao emphasised that, internationally, universities play a meaningful role in the conceptualisation and effective implementation of the Lesson Study through, inter alia, collaborating with schools and the education departments at large, and research to influence policy and practice. He further indicated that the University of Pretoria is committed to pursue a similar trajectory by firstly, introducing the Lesson Study to the undergraduate students to adequately prepare new teachers for the world of work, and secondly, working with the Department of Basic Education (provincial and national) to contribute towards the strengthening of continuous professional development of teachers. This commitment by the University of Pretoria is at the heart of one of its Strategic Goals, namely, To strengthen the University’s social responsiveness and impact in society. By participating in the Lesson Study workshop organised and hosted by KZNDoE, the University of Pretoria is interconnecting with society, thereby contributing towards addressing the low levels of learner performance in mathematics in South Africa.