Faculty of Education Hosts Transformative WIL Symposium

The Faculty of Education recently hosted a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Symposium, welcoming lecturers, student-teachers, mentors, and school leaders at the Mowbray Campus. The event served as a platform for engaging dialogue, critical reflection, and the collaborative construction of the future of teacher education.

In her opening address, Prof Hanlie Dippenaar, the Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education at the Wellington Campus, emphasised CPUT's commitment to strengthening partnerships between the university, schools, and communities in preparing teachers. Dr Clive Brown from the Faculty of Education framed the day’s programme around the theme: “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want.”

Prof. Michael van Wyk from the University of South Africa delivered the keynote address, intertwining personal stories with professional insights under the compelling title: “From Poverty to Prosperity — A Life of Purpose and Gratitude in Teacher Education.” In his speech, Van Wyk challenged attendees to view teaching not merely as a profession but as a lasting commitment to social justice, dignity, and meaningful change.

A lively and diversified presentation schedule followed, including:

• Melanie Sadeck and Jenna Stuurman, demonstrating the NQT Project in Practice, shared insights from recent cohort experiences and challenges in transitioning from student to novice teacher.
• Dr Ismail Teladia from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spoke on teacher preparedness for delivering Life Skills and Human Movement, foregrounding the need for capacity building in holistic subject areas. I emphasised the importance of building a professional brand during your tenure as a teacher.
• Ashric Don (WCED) presented on Coding and Robotics in Early Education, highlighting emerging pedagogies that bridge foundational learning with contemporary technological literacies.
• A principals’ panel, moderated by Prof Candice Livingston (Education Faculty), engaged school leaders in a robust discussion on Shaping Tomorrow’s Teachers, exploring issues such as support structures, expectations of student-teachers, and institutional sustainability.

Ingrid Leukes from the South African Democratic Teachers Union) and Riedwaan Ahmed, National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa, addressed themes of teacher agency, professionalism, and the importance of collective voice in the ongoing professionalisation of teaching.

Student presenters also contributed meaningfully to the day, sharing research, case studies, and narratives drawn from their WIL placements. Brown, Lecturer and Teaching Practice Coordinator: Intermediate Phase Teaching, said: “Their insights enriched the symposium’s deliberations and provided fresh perspectives from the front lines of classrooms.”

The Symposium had several primary aims:

• Strengthen collaboration between CPUT, schools, district educational offices, and professional teacher organisations.
• Elevate discourse about the evolving role of teachers in 21st-century education contexts, especially given technological, social, and curricular shifts.
• Foster reflexivity among student-teachers, mentors, and educators about professional identity, instructional practices, and ethical responsibilities.
• Generate actionable recommendations for improving WIL support structures, curriculum alignment, mentoring, and assessment.

According to Brown, the participants reported that the symposium was a space of energised intellectual exchange, renewed commitment, and meaningful networking. Key recommendations include:

• Strengthening support for student-teachers in resource-constrained schools
• Aligning university curricula with school realities, especially in subject demands
• Implementing structured mentoring and ongoing development for mentors
• Incorporating emerging literacies like coding and robotics in teacher education
• Establishing sustainable dialogue and feedback between schools and academia

This annual WIL Symposium, now in its fourth year, was born from a dream and a deep desire to offer the final-year student teachers the last-minute insights, guidance, and professional expertise they need before stepping into classrooms as qualified educators emanating from this fine institution.

“The 2025 WIL Symposium reaffirms CPUT’s commitment to transformative teacher education—one that is responsive, collaborative, and grounded in purpose. As we move forward, the Faculty of Education remains steadfast in implementing the symposium’s insights through enhanced WIL support, continuous curriculum renewal, and strengthened partnerships with schools and educational stakeholders,” Brown remarked.

He continued: “We look forward to continuing this journey together, bridging theory and practice in ways that empower future teachers and advance the quality of education across our communities.”

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za