The DBE, in partnership with UNICEF, the LEGO Foundation and Cotlands, has developed Powerful Learning Around You (P.L.A.Y.) which is a free in-service training course that compliments existing and formal training, and is accredited with the South African Council of Educators (SACE). The initial testing phase was launched by The Council for Education Ministers (CEM) and went live on 09 March 2017 at www.playsa.org.
Evidence shows that a play-based approach to learning allows children to better understand mathematical and language concepts; and to become creative, solution-oriented learners who are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st Century. The act of play performs a critical role for children to develop the intellectual, emotional, social and creative skills needed to build the foundation for human development and lifelong learning. Neuroscience has taught us that the brain is primed through play; that play increases the complexity and capacity of neural pathways; that play increases the production of the neural transmitters that enhance brain functioning; and play decreases the production of stress hormones.
The aim of P.L.A.Y. is to provide in-service training to 42,000 Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, 23,000 Grade R educators and 85,000 Grade 1 to 3 educators over the next two years. This programme also aims to strengthen the inclusion and utilisation of play as a powerful tool and method of early learning and development. As a result, P.L.A.Y. will be used to contribute to children's growth, health, nutrition and protection as part of national policies, curricula and programmes for children from birth to nine years old.
On-line registration can be done through any mobile device or computer. This step is then followed by a five hour face-to-face orientation session. These will be conducted throughout the country, utilising, amongst others, the Teacher Development Centres as resources. Thereafter, on-line training will commence including theory, practice and assessment. Upon completion, the trainees will receive a certificate that will earn them Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) points from SACE, thus linking it to formal recognition and professional development.
“The foundations that we lay in ECD and the Foundation Phase through P.L.A.Y. will have an impact on the future careers of children; learning in the early years and the starting point for future engineers, doctors and teachers”, said Minister Motshekga.
According to Dr Mamiki Maboya, Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring: “This model of in-service training that we are launching today has all the potential to be a game changer in the manner in which the we can shape a large part of the in-service training programme to reach all educators – even in the most remote areas”.
The Country Representative of UNICEF South Africa, Mr Herve Ludovic De Lys, noted that “ECD is the single most powerful enabler to accelerate true, constructive and sustainable social and economic transformation sought for by millions of South Africans. That is why UNICEF has early childhood development as one of its key programme priorities in South Africa and values this partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the LEGO Foundation on learning through play”.
Similar sentiments were shared by Mr Michael Renvillard, Initiatives Lead-South Africa for the LEGO Foundation who emphasised that his organisation regards “play as critical in establishing vital learning skills from infancy and throughout our lifespan. The LEGO Foundation is excited about the kick-off of P.L.A.Y. In-service training programmes, which will equip and inspire practitioners to adopt learning through play - and the impact these will have on how children learn and develop”.
Endorsing the power of the collaboration, Ms Jackie Schoeman, the CEO of Cotlands, noted that this is “A special partnership that brings together a key government department, an international multi-lateral, a global advocate for learning through play, and a local non-governmental organisation to strengthen play as the critical component of learning”.