CSTL PULSE

Adult education
PUBLIC PROFILE

“Care and support for teaching and learning must be institutionalised as a tool to improve learner outcomes and retention rates.” President Cyril Ramaphosa

Posted by Letswalo L Marobane on 31 January 2023, 09:40 SAST
Letswalo L Marobane photo

The President of South Africa has officially cited the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) framework during his keynote address at the 2023 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla last week. He said: “Care and support for teaching and learning must be institutionalised as a tool to improve learner outcomes and retention rates.” In partnership with SADC and its Member States, and with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, MIET AFRICA developed and tested the CSTL model in response to the many vulnerabilities hindering the learning and development of children and youth in the SADC region, and in 2016,  the CSTL Policy Framework was adopted by the 16 SADC Ministers of Education. The Framework mandates Ministries of Education to mainstream care and support and provides guidelines for the provision of integrated services through their schools. The various care and support needs of learners are addressed through a policy framework of 10 pillars, namely: safety and protection, psychosocial support, nutrition, health, social welfare, material support, infrastructure, community participation, curriculum support, extra-curricular support.

The CSTL model is one which views all stakeholders as co-educators within a learning ecosystem. Ministries of Education create a policy environment that mandates, enables and supports the development of all schools as CSTL coordinating hubs that facilitate the provision of:

  •  Services and support provided by a range of partners to ensure inclusion, retention and completion of school by vulnerable children and youth
  • Quality, relevant 21st century education for agency to address pressing development challenges

SADC Policy Framework on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL)

 

This SADC Policy Framework on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) has been developed to support Member States to strengthen and harmonise their education policies and programmes so that they may ensure comparable and sustainable care and support for teaching and learning of vulnerable learners throughout the region. The formulation of the Policy Framework has been informed by and draws on the history and shared wisdom of Member States, a number of which have already taken steps towards systematisation of care and support for teaching and learning. The Framework seeks to formulate a “road map” for future action by Member States that draws on their past successes and the challenges that have promoted or inhibited care and support in the region; it provides a platform for future development of policies and laws premised on Member States learning from each other, emulating successes that have already been achieved, and avoiding challenges that have beset previous initiatives.

 

There are no comments

Sign in to add your comment.

Recent Posts

FutureLife-Now! Youth Talk - Climate action - Radio Schedule
Click here to view the full radio schedule.
read more
International Day against Violence and Bullying at School
On November 2, 2023, UNESCO will celebrate the International Day against Violence and Bullying at...
read more
Building resilience in boys and young men in the SADC Region | MIET AFRICA celebrates the ministarial approval of the SADC Boys’ and Young Men’s Vulnerability Framework
Exciting news for the FutureLife-Now! community and all those with a stake in gender equality in the...
read more
Chickens come home to roost! | A life-changing story from Zambia
Autone Mululuma, a young man growing up in a peri-urban area in the Chimbombo District in the...
read more
Cultivating generational health | Fort Rixon Secondary School in Zimbabwe hosts a health services fare
The head of Fort Rixon School, Lawrence Sibanda, welcoming guests to the fare Fort Rixon...
read more
Uniting against school-related gender-based violence | FutureLife-Now! takes part in UNESCO’s “Connect with respect” training in Lesotho
Participants at the training MIET AFRICA’s partnership with UNESCO is resulting in fruitful...
read more
Debunking the myths! | Empowering parents and teachers in Malawi on comprehensive sexuality education
CSE Workshop participants sharing their reflections on CSE Young Africans must have the facts...
read more
Topic: Mental Health: the best investment for teachers in Africa?
Subtopic: A Systemic Approach to Strengthen Mental Health & Psychosocial Support for Resilient...
read more
FutureLife-Now! Showcased at International Trade Fair
As FutureLife-Now! continues to expand its reach and impact, it remains dedicated to empowering...
read more
Youth empowerment initiatives launched in South Africa || The DBE introduces FutureLife-Now! and the Ubuntu Youth Leadership Movement
“Voices of the youth”: a learner presenting at the launch South Africa’s Department of Basic...
read more

Go to blog