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USAID Brings South African Teachers to the U.S. for Academic Leadership Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2005
0419-05-030
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Andrew S. Natsios announced that 39 South African science and math teachers will tour schools in Maryland as part of a 10-week educational enrichment program. Based on academic skill, the teachers were selected from the nine provincial education departments throughout South Africa, and largely from the 102 dedicated mathematics, science and technology schools.

Now in its third year, the $1.7 million U.S. Leadership Training for South African Teachers and Subject Advisors (LISASE) program allows participants to receive on-the-job training, student-teaching experiences and leadership development. The aim of the program is to improve the teachers' capabilities to deliver mathematics, science and technology education to historically disadvantaged students in South Africa.

"As South Africa embarks on its 11th anniversary of democracy, USAID's LISASE program is an excellent example of how the country is taking action to ensure the success of future generations," Administrator Natsios said. "USAID is delighted that so many dedicated South African educators are here with their U.S. counterparts, gaining invaluable skills and experience. Their presence underscores USAID's important work - building relationships, strengthening professional capacity in developing countries, as well as paving the way for future achievement."

The LISASE program is partnered with the Prince George's Community College Center for Academic Resource Development, located on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. Upon arrival in the U.S. last week, the teachers participated in an orientation that included seminars on understanding local school boards, cross-cultural communication, gender and language, as well as home schooling and other issues in American education.

Starting this week and for the next several weeks, the 39 teachers will divide into groups to visit and observe the inner workings of local high school classrooms. The remaining weeks will focus on various professional development topics, including interactive workshops on advanced technology, cooperative learning, peer leadership, teaching styles, gender bias in the classroom and use of online resources. The program will end with intensive, two-week capstone courses in either physics or mathematics.

The entire 10-week training is organized through a consortium of American high schools, community colleges, the Maryland State Department of Education and the University of Maryland. Local high schools the teachers plan to visit include:

• Annapolis High School,
• Charles Herbert Flowers High School,
• DeMatha Catholic High School,
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School,
• LaPlata High School,
• Montgomery Blair High School,
• Northern Garrett High School,
• Oxon Hill High School, and
• Southern Garrett High School.

Through LISASE, 95 South African teachers came to the U.S. in 2003 and 2004. Teachers who received training have already started implementing new and improved teaching skills in mathematics, science and technology - part of the South African government's human resource development strategy to increase participation in fields where Africans were previously denied access.

Recently, Metropolitan-RAUCALL - the Johannesburg high school operated by Rand Afrikaans University - received an award for excellence in math and science education. The principal of the school is a 2003 participant of the LISASE program. The award was presented by the Deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and Minister of Education Naledi Pandor. The school plans to use the funds to upgrade their computer center and purchase additional library books.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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