Funda UJabule School showcases UJ’s teacher education model to Ugandan delegation

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) welcomed a Department of Basic Education (DBE)-led delegation from Uganda to the Faculty of Education’s Funda UJabule Teaching School on Thursday, 30 July 2026, as part of a week-long benchmarking programme aimed at strengthening curriculum development, teacher education and educational transformation in Uganda.

The visit formed part of a broader programme held from 27 to 31 July 2026, during which senior education leaders and curriculum specialists from Uganda engaged with South African education stakeholders to exchange knowledge and explore best practices in teacher preparation and curriculum implementation.

Representing Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), the delegation included senior government officials, higher education leaders, curriculum specialists and education policymakers. The benchmarking programme focused on curriculum design, teacher education and professional development, inclusive education, assessment approaches, ICT integration, and the development of life skills and values within school curricula.

The delegation was welcomed to the University by Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, and then engaged in a series of presentations and discussions led by staff from the Faculty of Education.

A key highlight of the visit was an overview of the Funda UJabule Teaching School by Prof Sarah Gravett, former Dean of the Faculty of Education and founder of the school. Drawing on her experience of conceptualising, establishing and expanding the teaching school, Prof Gravett shared the journey behind the initiative, reflecting on the lessons learned, the challenges encountered, and the factors that contributed to its success. Her presentation provided valuable practical insights for delegates exploring the establishment of similar models in Uganda.

The programme showcased UJ’s approach to teacher preparation and highlighted the close integration between the Faculty of Education and the Funda UJabule Teaching School. Discussions explored the value of teaching schools as authentic learning environments where theory and practice intersect, enabling student teachers to learn within a real school context while being supported by experienced mentor teachers and university academics.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Funda UJabule School, where delegates experienced first-hand the innovative facilities that support both school learners and student teachers. These included classrooms with observation galleries that allow student teachers to observe lessons without disrupting teaching, the school’s Makerspace, its feeding scheme kitchen, food garden, and dedicated university lecture venues integrated into the school environment.

Speaking during the visit, Prof Nadine Petersen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, emphasised the importance of collaboration between African countries in strengthening education systems.

“The challenges facing education across Africa are not unique to one country, and neither are the solutions. By learning from one another, sharing our experiences, and building meaningful partnerships, we can collectively strengthen teacher education and improve learning outcomes across the continent. At UJ, we believe collaboration is not only beneficial, but it is also essential to shaping and reimagining the future of education in Africa.”

Uganda is currently reviewing its primary school curriculum to better respond to the demands of 21st-century education. The benchmarking programme provided an opportunity for delegates to learn from South African experiences in multilingual education, curriculum innovation, skills development, continuous assessment and inclusive education, while strengthening collaboration between the two countries.

The visit reinforced UJ’s commitment to internationalisation and knowledge exchange, demonstrating how partnerships across the African continent can contribute to improving education systems through shared expertise, research and innovation.

As one of South Africa’s leading teacher education institutions, the Faculty of Education continues to play an important role in advancing educational excellence, supporting professional learning, and contributing to the transformation of education both nationally and across the African continent.