Facilitation Skills

Terms of reference (TOR) Statement

To train in accredited Facilitation Skills.

Background to C.L.A.S.S. Consulting

C.L.A.S.S. Consulting is an agency servicing the DBE and provincial Departments of Education. In the course of its operations it provides products and services for the DBE since 1998 to narrow the gap between curriculum policy and practice at schools. These services and products are procured in accordance with DBE procurement policy, framework and PFMA (Public Finance Management Act).

C.L.A.S.S. Consulting facilitates the roll out of the Teacher Development Strategy and conducts capacity building programs. One of the programs is on the development of a capacity building program for Curriculum Implementers in accredited Facilitation Skills.

C.L.A.S.S. Consulting facilitates Educator Leadership in DBE as part of its teacher development strategy. C.L.A.S.S. Consulting is interested in creating alignment in its Educator leadership intervention programs and projects to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to improving learner results and teaching.

Benefits of the Project

C.L.A.S.S. Consulting’s mission is to provide developmental programs that enhance competence and performance for effective learning in schools. The DBE’s strategic thrust recognises that C.L.A.S.S. Consulting is part of a web of strategic partnerships, alliances and engagements, hence C.L.A.S.S. Consulting’s desire to provide this service with a contextually relevant classroom focus and also deliver work of high standard in the realization of DBE’s mandate.

Experience in school improvement and effectiveness by DBE has highlighted the importance of having tangible innovative support measures in place to ensure that the delivery of programs to schools is demand driven, to ensure direct impact on improving learner performance, through effective curriculum delivery in a safe learning environment.

Many different CPD models have been developed and lessons learnt, hence DBE will work closely with any identified service providers. This would include the offering of any assistance in the development of additional learner activities to meet the needs of the target group. Accredited Unit Standards in Facilitation skills training will be utilized for this purpose, whilst also bearing in mind the specific needs of teachers for CPD points and SACE compliance.

A consequence of this training should be that:

  • The Curriculum Implementers achieve “Accreditation” as Facilitators.

Objectives

The objectives of the appointment of a Service Provider are to ensure:

  • That the selected Curriculum Implementers are able to achieve accreditation as Facilitators.
  • That the selected Curriculum Implementers attend an accredited “Facilitation Skills” course
  • That the appointed service provider takes responsibility for the assessment of all attending delegates.
  • That the service provider takes responsibility for ensuring that the attending delegates complete the required Portfolio of Evidence for accreditation.
  • That the appointed service provider liaises and communicates with DBE as to the progress of the attending delegates.
  • The appointed service provider in conjunction with DBE arrange for a graduation ceremony.

On completion of their training and graduation the Curriculum Implementers are able to use their new skills and knowledge to enhance the training and development of Teachers, with a view to ensuring and improvement in classroom practice as well as in terms of ongoing Learner progress and performance in the Province.

Scope of Project

The intervention will apply the following model:

  • Targeting all Curriculum Implementers currently working with the identified priority schools
  • Use a face to face, modular approach in conducting the Facilitation Skills training
  • Conducting the first training intervention in Facilitation skills during agreed upon times.
  • All attending delegates to be assessed and accredited after completion of a Portfolio of Evidence.
  • All attending delegates to be registered as Facilitators with the relevant SETA.

Methodology

C.L.A.S.S. Consulting will not dictate a particular methodology. Whatever approach is used must consist of various strategies that also exploit the technological platforms available to allow for large scale application. The appointed service provider should indicate the specific steps that they will use to implement this intervention which could include seat time, e-learning, action learning, etc. There will be joint monitoring and evaluation of the intervention by both the service provider as well as DBE. Most importantly the focus should be on “transference of skills” to the client base to avoid dysfunctional rescuing where the client remains dependent on the service provider.

Outputs and Deliverables

The service provider must deliver:

  • Train Curriculum Implementers in “Facilitation Skills”
  • Assess all attending delegates in accordance with SETA requirements for accreditation.
  • Ensure that all attending delegates complete the necessary Portfolio of Evidence required for accreditation.
  • In liaison with DBE  arrange for a graduation ceremony for those delegates who are adjudged as “Competent”
  • Complete a Post-Training report on the process for DBE.

Cost includes

Accreditation including a full turnkey solution for the Department of Education which includes printing of materials, DVD’s, videos and PowerPoints, training and coaching of Curriculum Implementers and monitoring and support of roll-out.