The South African National Commission for UNESCO, in collaboration with the DBE, hosted a study engagement for postgraduate students from Rutgers University as part of their international Study Abroad Programme in Pretoria, Gauteng on 23 July 2025. The delegation, comprising of Master’s and PhD candidates from the United States and Canada, was led by Professor Darren Clarke, Senior Director of Strategic Alliances and Outreach at the Graduate School of Education and Co-Founder of the South Africa Initiative. The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts to foster mutual learning and international cooperation in the field of education.
The session commenced with welcoming remarks by Mr Carlton Mukwevho, Secretary-General of the South African National Commission for UNESCO, and Professor Clarke, who both reaffirmed the significance of academic exchange programmes in building inclusive, knowledge-based societies. They reflected on the enduring partnership between Rutgers University and South African education institutions, which continues to promote dialogue and shared learning between scholars and policy practitioners.
Dr Nompumelelo Nyathi-Mohohlwane from Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, delivered a presentation in which she outlined the DBE’s research-informed approach to strengthening educational outcomes. She provided an overview of strategies aimed at improving literacy and numeracy in the foundational phases, and spoke to the importance of using data and evidence to inform policy interventions. Her presentation set the tone for a day of robust engagement on key themes in South Africa’s education sector.
Amongst the departmental presentations, several critical areas were addressed. Dr Sello Galane delivered the presentation focused on Culture and Heritage, and the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. The issue of school safety was discussed by Ms Sandrini Moodley from School Safety, who highlighted the existing collaborative protocol between the DBE and the South African Police Service, aimed at creating secure and conducive learning environments. Mr Jabulani Ngcobo from Inclusive Education, contextualised inclusive education within the historical development of South Africa’s education system, noting its centrality in ensuring that all learners, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, are supported within mainstream schooling.
Attention was also given to gender disparities in education, with Ms Pfuluwani Mashapa drawing attention to the underrepresentation of women in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. She called for greater advocacy and policy support to advance gender equity in these areas. Ms Vuyelwa Ntuli from ECD, provided insight, emphasising its importance in shaping future learning and social outcomes. Lastly, Mr Bulara Monyaki offered a comprehensive overview of the Further Education and Training (FET) phase, focusing on Grades 10 to 12, and highlighted its role in equipping learners with both academic and vocational skills.
The engagement concluded with a dynamic exchange between Rutgers students and DBE officials, reinforcing the value of international partnerships in addressing global educational challenges.