SCHOOLS
FUNDERS
|
| |
| SCHOOLS |
| How can a school become part of EQUIP? |
| Usually funders select their preference areas in terms of geography and school level (primary or high schools, or both), and the Districts or Circuits of provincial education departments propose the schools to be selected in terms of NBI-EQUIP criteria – i.e. most basic functionality with room for growth and development. In rare cases, it has been possible to link schools that are keen to join EQUIP with funders looking for motivated institutions. |
|
| How can a school register for the EQUIP programme? |
| Schools should contact the district office and ask for support for a whole school improvement programme or approach companies for support for such a programme. |
|
| To what degree does EQUIP provide infrastructure and equipment or materials? |
| Provision is usually limited to incentive grants of up to R 30 000 over three years. However, fundraising training and support is often provided within EQUIP. Also, some funders are prepared to meet schools’ urgent infrastructural and material needs over and above the contribution they make to the programme itself. The school development plan which is an integral part of EQUIP provides a vehicle to attract funders to support infrastructural improvements as well as the acquisition of equipment and material. By taking ownership of the planning process and the development schools are able to better market themselves. This leads to improved self-management which is aligned to the national and provincial policies in this regard. |
|
| Why is professional development (e.g. in the form of Advanced Certificate in Education courses) only provided to Maths, Science and Technology teachers? |
| Because of financial constraints and the national prioritsation of certain subjects/learning areas as vital to economic growth and the development of scarce skills. |
| |
| FUNDERS |
| Why should we support EQUIP when we already pay a membership fee to the NBI? |
| Membership fees pay for the NBI’s basic infrastructure and overall management.. Development programmes require additional funding from members. |
|
| Why does the NBI charge management fees when funders already pay membership fees? |
| Management fees pay for the NBI’s infrastructure and administrative support. |
|
| What will happen to our EQUIP schools now that the NBI KwaZulu-Natal office is closed? |
| Work will be carried on by the service providers as per the NBI contract and the agreement with the funder. The only change is the management of the project from the NBI side which is done by the Western Cape office. |
|
| How is success measured in EQUIP? |
It is measured by comparative analyses of Grade 12 results in secondary schools. A baseline study, covering all aspects of school conditions, activities and performance, is conducted at the start of a three-year EQUIP cycle. Success is measured by comparing the school’s overall conditions and performance against the initial indicators reflected in the baseline report at the end of three years (and sometimes intermittently).
A similar process occurs with the identification of needs and development priorities in a three-year development plan drafted by the school at the start of programme implementation. This plan is reviewed annually and at the end of the programme. It measures success by the degree to which identified needs and priorities have been met and the level of focus on quality delivery of learning and teaching in newly identified priorities and needs. |
|
| What degree of involvement is expected of an EQUIP funder? |
| The NBI value funders who become directly interested and involved in their schools, but also appreciate those funders who largely because of limited resources and time, prefer to restrict their involvement to financial support and the receipt of quarterly reports. |
|
| Who governs EQUIP and who does it report to? |
Provincial Boards or Steering Committees, consisting of senior education department officials and funder representatives and administered by the NBI govern implementation and finance management in the provinces. Within the NBI, EQUIP reports to the Director of the Education and Skills Unit, and through her to the Management Team.
Service providers appointed by NBI-EQUIP in consultation with funders and education department officials report to NBI programme managers, who in turn report to funders on a quarterly basis. |