Stirling Primary School teacher Wesley Renton is one of three South Africans selected to represent the country in a bilateral teacher training programme in China, starting on October 13.
Renton, who came second in the excellence in technology: enhanced teaching and learning category at last year’s National Teaching Awards, will be one of three educators representing the Eastern Cape on the three-week exchange.
“I was chosen because of my participation in the Teaching Awards and, as far as I know, that was the basis for my selection,” Renton said.
Joining him in the programme is Esethu Stofile, chief education specialist from the provincial education department, and Gary Carter, head of grade 7 and the online learning platform at Grey Junior in Gqeberha.
They will represent the province in the ICT field.
The training, hosted in Beijing, will involve participants visiting schools and universities, attending lectures and observing how Chinese teachers integrate technology into their classrooms.
“We will be visiting schools and universities, getting lectures and observing how teachers and staff do things,” Renton said.
“The main aim is to bring back expertise and knowledge, especially on how they use technology in their classrooms.”
The group will be required to submit a detailed report to the department of education on their return.
“At this stage, we’re not sure how the findings will be implemented,” Renton said.
“We will deliver the report and the department will then decide on the way forward. But for now, the main purpose is to observe and learn.”
For Carter, who has been teaching for 12 years, the trip is both a professional and personal milestone.
“We want to see what they’re doing in terms of technology, get ideas, and bring them back here to enhance what we already have,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity offered by the Chinese government and I think it’s going to be a valuable experience for us.”
At Grey Junior, Carter oversees the school’s interactive online platform, which allows pupils to access lessons remotely.
“For mathematics, for example, I record daily videos that learners can watch if they are sick or away, so they don’t fall behind,” he said.
Beyond the academic exchange, Carter said he was also looking forward to the cultural immersion.
“I’m excited to see what they have to offer in teaching and technology, but also to learn about who they are as a people and what their country is about,” he said.
Both teachers expressed pride in representing their schools and province on an international stage.
“It’s a huge honour,” Renton said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can learn from China and how we can share that knowledge here at home.”
The delegation departs on October 11 and returns after three weeks of training.
Daily Dispatch
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