EDUCATION PROJECTS

1.  Tiger Kloof Education Institution

Since the inception of the regeneration of Tiger Kloof School in the early 1990’s, the firm has been closely involved in assisting with development planning, financial modeling and strategies and is represented on the Board. The institution has developed to offer both academic and technical education and undertakes innovative and challenging education programmes.

2 .  Information Impact Assessment for the National Department of Education       

An impact assessment and perceptions audit of educational materials distributed by the Department of Education was undertaken by a consortium of organisations – PDC, Resource Development Consultants and the Department of Adult Education at the University of Natal. The consortium designed and implemented a research project to fulfil the following stated aims: to assess the information needs of the Department of Education’s clients and their experience of the education system; to assess the effectiveness of distribution mechanisms of educational materials through provincial education departments; and to assess the impact and educational value of popular materials produced as part of communication strategies during 1997.

3.  Financial Analysis of Twenty Schools

Using the Firm’s experience with modeling of schools’ finances, a review of 20 primary and secondary schools’ financial viability was conducted in 1999 for Solon and Genesis Foundation. The study assisted in identifying areas of interest for the client and lead to various forms of support being offered to needy education institutions.

4.  Development Planning for Primary and Secondary Schools

Given the importance of impacting on development to PDC’s value drivers, the Firm is at present assisting 5 rural education institutions with development and business plang. Consideration is being given to increase the number of schools that are supported.

5. Schools Financial Planning

Education in South Africa is perhaps seen as one of the country’s neediest sectors. Many schools are experiencing a range of threatening problems, with little relief in sight. It became apparent to PDC that there may be lessons to be shared in the success (particularly with regards to financial management) of some independent schools who are able to sustain themselves from year to year.

6. Business Plans

The firm has assisted the Departments of Education listed below in developing business plans for conditional grants for 2000/2001 and 2002/2003.

  • Mpumalanga Department of Education;
  • Gauteng Department of Education;
  • Eastern Cape Department of Education; and
  • Northern Cape Department of Education

7. Training

The firm assists with training and the development of training material. Recent projects include training communities in the use of renewable energy technologies:

  • training provincial officials from three provinces in project management.
  • training project implementation; and
  • training learning communities in financial management and planning.

8. Community Support

Support has been given to Community Forums. PDC has consultants to communities, assisting with development of official documentation, constitutions, development and business plans, training and negotiations.

9. Primary and Secondary Research

The firm has conducted a survey of schools’ infrastructure needs for DWAF. This was focused on schools access to water and sanitation and limited scope to selected institutions in the Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

A feasibility study of an Educare Centre at the Gauteng Legislature has been conducted for the provincial Legislature. This included management finance policy and legislature components.

11. Project Management

The firm has managed a number of large projects and uses its experience in Project Management Training. This has been undertaken most recently for the national Department of Education and for the following provincial Departments of Education:

·         Mpumalanga Department of Education;

·         Gauteng Department of Education;

·         Free State Department of Education;

·         Limpopo Department of Education; and

·         Eastern Cape Department of Education.

 

EDUCATION WORK IN PROGRESS

- Rural Farm School’s Bicycle Library

Naletsana is a rural farm school of 550 learners from Grade 0 to Grade 10.  Learners commute up to 28 kilometers daily, mostly on foot.  While buses are supplied, the run on a linear route away from the school and only cater for about 80 learners.

 PDC has been instrumental in establishing a bicycle library with the understanding that learners, having paid a deposit to register on the programme, will be able to “draw” bicycles on loan from the school, returning them at each term end.  A small monthly rental will be levied to ensure continuous maintenance.  The bicycle library integrates a maintenance course, road use training and thoughts and issues around bikes and cycling into the curriculum.

- The Roles, Powers and Functions of Districts in South African Education.

The roles, powers and functions of districts in South Africa is controversial and has been largely ignored in the Education debate over the last decade.  This is a desktop study to evaluation aimed at renewing the debate.  It includes case studies, a look at other sectors and best practice.

- Wilderness Development

 This has been an exciting project converting a commercial cattle farm to a wilderness park with game.  While the five-year long project has focused on up-market accommodation, issues concerning farm worker housing, renewable energy, rural farm schools, worker training and development, water resources and wildlife management have all been integrated in a holistic approach to the project.

- Tiger Kloof

 PDC has been involved in the re-opening, development and consolidation of this unique project since its inception in 1993.  This is a school of great historic significance and stands as a symbol to achievements in the new South Africa.  Tiger Kloof’s motto is “Creating new paths in learning, doing and serving” which stands close to PDC’s ideals of improving the quality of South Africans’ lives by providing specialised knowledge and skills.  

With development costs of around R 15 million over the period, the school is now 400 strong, half being boarders.  Over the next half-decade Tiger Kloof intends expanding into primary education in order to improve on the depth of education excellence it is determined to deliver.

HOUSING WORK IN PROGRESS

- Immediate Health and Safety Interventions at 10 Hostels

PDC has recently completed the overall programme management of immediate (i.e. limited in extent and budget) health and safety interventions at 10 hostels in the West Rand and Sedibeng area. Our role was to establish a full team of professionals, identity the work required and reach agreement with the beneficiary community, cost the work and ensure delivery through a competitive tender, appointment of contractors up to and including the final certification and payment. Our client was the Goldenwest Social Housing Initiative (appointed by the Gauteng Department of Housing).

- Farm worker Housing

PDC has recently completed the overall management of farm worker housing in the Limpopo Province. A small farm village (of 7 family dwellings) including appropriate energy alternatives has been established. This project includes the following:

  • Assistance with the policy, design and establishment of a Centre for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
  • A childrens’ music programme (including the instruments, the teaching and learning and networking for social and cultural events.
  • Organic Farming project aimed at women and youth and including vegetables and free-range poultry (chickens, guinea fowl and African quail).