EMASA Conference 2013

The Zisukhanyo Schools Project (ZSP) recently received significant recognition, with the bestowal of a major accolade.  The project was adjudged by the Education Management Association of South Africa (EMASA) to be among those projects that have been transformational in terms of their positive impact upon and contribution to education in South Africa.  Danny Gallagher of PEDP, the originator and owner of the ZSP, was invited to present on the achievements of the project at EMASA’s annual conference, which was held at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein on 23^rd-24^th August. 

EMASA was established in 1997 and is the only South African organisation with an exclusive focus on management and leadership in education.    

Criteria for the selection of the projects that were showcased at EMASA’s conference were:

·         Educational transformation and impact

·         Innovation

·         Quality of improvement in teaching/learning processes

·         Collaboration between project stakeholders and beneficiaries

·         Effective monitoring and evaluation processes in place

·         Potential exists for scalability and replication

The selected projects ranged from projects implemented at pre-school level through to projects with a further/higher education and training focus.  The ZSP was selected among those projects in the “Whole School Development” category.    

Three senior members of the Cape Town-based team with responsibility for the implementation of key components of the Zisukhanyo Schools Project also attended the conference.

At the conclusion of the conference, certificates were presented by Ms. Alison Bengtson-Mali, President of EMASA, and Professor Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, to those who had presented at the conference.