Professional Learning Communities - A Guideline for South African Schools

The Department of Basic Education, with the support of VVOB, and with input from a wide range of stakeholders, developed a practical guideline on implementing PLCs in schools. The Integrated Strategic Framework for Teacher Professional Development (ISPFTED) foresees the nation-wide implementation of Professional Learning Communities by 2017. PLCs are put forward as a central instrument to strengthen teachers’ professional development. During a colloquium held in September 2014 a wide range of speakers from academia, government, unions and subject associations provided input on international and local research, local experiences and various initiatives on PLCs. The participants also provided feedback on two draft documents: a policy document on subject committees and PLCs and a practical guideline on implementing PLCs. The final product of this exercise can be downloaded below.