Overview
PSP’s overall programme addresses the most challenging aspects facing our teachers, namely curriculum and content knowledge, teaching skills, methods & strategies.
In 2024 our comprehensive programme of support reached 3282 teachers from 704 schools.
Training
Classroom Coaching
Mentorship
Methodology
PSP’s methodology embraces key teaching and learning theories from leading educationists such as Vygotsky, Piaget, Dewey and Bruner. Our approach promotes practical teaching that places the child at the centre of learning.
Experience and do
Hands-on
Question and think
Minds-on
Talk, read and write
Words-on
Participate and enjoy
Hearts-on
During training workshops and classroom support, and guided by our facilitators, participating teachers discuss how activities could be adapted for different contexts, such as language of teaching and learning (LoLT), multi-grade, multi-lingual and large classes to achieve a similar objective.
Impact
PSP’s MERL tools and processes track and record data via a specially designed database to plan and communicate training schedules; measure teacher attendance, teacher and learner progress (in our Grade 4-7 Science and Foundation Phase Maths projects); classroom observation and reflection by PSP mentors and teacher feedback.
PSP’s impact is reflected through our history- exerting generational influence for more than 40 years through thousands of teachers and benefitting tens of thousands of primary school children.
The feedback we receive from new teachers and from those who continue to be part of our programme after many years is testament to how effectively our support contributes towards their professional development.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of the PSP family, and every time I attend a PSP event, I’m reminded of the warmth and sense of belonging that comes with being part of this community. From the moment I walk in, I feel like I’m home. The smiling faces, the encouraging words, and the collective passion for education create an atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere. As a novice teacher, PSP has been more than just a mentorship program – it’s been a support system, a network of fellow educators who understand the challenges and triumphs of teaching. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share my passion for education makes me feel seen, heard, and valued. The PSP community is more than just colleagues, it’s a family that uplifts and inspires me to be the best version of myself. If you’re part of the PSP family, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you’re not, I hope you find your own community where you feel just as at home. Thank you, PSP, for creating a space where I can grow, learn, and feel at home.
Research
In addition to PSP’s MERL processes, research into our projects helps us to further understand the challenges, contexts and impact of our work, which is important for reflection and learning.
Independent evaluation of PSP Counting with Coronation Foundation Phase Maths Project
(2023)
PSP MSP
Evaluation Report
(2017)
JMP Magazine:
Mentoring First-Time
Teachers (2012)
PSP Case Studies of Teachers: Evidence of PSP’s Impact (2011)
Joint Mentorship Project: A Summary and Analysis of Surveys (2011)
Impact Evaluation of the PSP Cluster Project
(2007-2009)
Teacher Professional Development in Science: A Case Study (2007)
Evaluation of the Western Cape Primary Science Programme (2004)
