On the 21st and 22nd of September 2023, KST had the privilege of presenting at the Rural Education and ICT Learning Tools conference, hosted by the Federated Management Institute in Worcester, Western Cape.

This prestigious event, attended by over 10 organisations, including the Western Cape Department of Education, brought together stakeholders to explore the intersections of technology, education, and rural development.

Representing KST, Sizakele Mphatsoe, Head of Education Pillar, delivered a comprehensive 30-minute presentation that unpacked the impacts and learnings of the District Whole School Development (DWSD) model.

The model, a cornerstone of KST’s work, focuses on improving school performance, infrastructure, and leadership within district schools, and its success was a key point of discussion.

Mphatsoe’s presentation was met with keen interest, sparking a productive Q&A session from the attending delegates. She shared insights on how the DWSD model has played a critical role in addressing systemic challenges within schools, from improved infrastructure to enhanced teaching practices.

Through collaborative efforts with district and provincial departments, KST has been instrumental in shaping a transformative education experience for both learners and educators.

A standout moment of the presentation was the acknowledgment of the Free State’s consistently improving matric results over the years. Mphatsoe highlighted how KST’s partnership with the Free State Department of Education has driven significant improvements in student performance, with matric pass rates steadily rising as a direct outcome of the DWSD model.

This success did not go unnoticed, as the Western Cape Department of Education echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the remarkable strides made in the Free State.

The conference provided a platform for KST to not only showcase its achievements but also foster dialogue on how ICT tools can further enhance educational outcomes in rural areas.

As KST continues to drive meaningful change through innovative models like DWSD, the organisation remains committed to creating sustainable, high-quality education solutions that benefit learners across South Africa.

With the collaborative energy shared at the conference, KST looks forward to continued partnerships with other organisations and government bodies, working collectively to uplift education in South Africa’s rural communities.

ABOUT KST

KST is a strategic partnership initiative aimed at improving the quality of education in South Africa by implementing whole-school development programs in rural schools. Through its District Whole School Development model, KST continues to empower learners and educators by addressing systemic challenges and fostering sustainable educational improvements.