In a bold step towards digital transformation, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) hosted the national DBECloud Train-the-Trainer Programme on eLearning Content Development and AI Integration. Held at Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre from 26 to 30 October 2026, the five-day workshop brought together Education Specialists from all nine provinces.
The programme was directed by Dr Rannosi Motene from the MST, Curriculum Innovation and e-Learning Directorate, with key presentations facilitated by Mr Heyner Lara, Deputy Director from the same Directorate.
The tone for the week was set on day 1 by Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Acting Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Implementation and Support, who stated: “Today is not only the start of a training programme. It is an investment in people. Technology can make a difference only when educators have the skills and confidence to use it well”.
The workshop was convened to address critical gaps in digital utilisation. Despite improved infrastructure, technology use remains largely limited to basic administration, with a growing gap in the practical and responsible integration of AI in classrooms. This reality positions DBECloud as a vehicle for digital transformation, providing a standardised platform for content development, assessment and collaboration.
The full value of DBECloud can only be realised when officials are equipped to develop quality, CAPS-aligned digital content. The workshop aimed to ground interventions in internationally recognised pedagogical frameworks, equipping provincial specialists as Master Trainers to cascade training to districts and schools.
The programme focused on building capacity in Subject-Specific ICT Integration, DBECloud Content Development and AI Integration; ensuring that AI adoption is ethical, contextually relevant and CAPS-aligned; and establishing clear responsibilities and support channels for provincial rollout. The sustainable Train-the-Trainer model adopted builds a robust network of Master Trainers, enabling contextualised scaling while maintaining national standards and quality assurance.
The workshop also brought together strategic partners of the Department, including the Sasol Foundation, which has made DBECloud possible; the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); and The Novus Foundation, through its AI and Robotics for Good Youth Training Programme. These partnerships demonstrate the importance of collaboration in advancing digital transformation and strengthening education through technology.
This was more than training; it was the start of a collective journey to transform learning and improve educational outcomes. The DBE must be commended for leading this future-focused transformation and investing in the people who will shape the future of teaching and learning in South Africa.