11 Aug Mpumalanga Strengthens Education Through Strategic Research Partnership
MBOMBELA – The Mpumalanga Department of Education has strengthened its commitment to improving educational outcomes through a strategic partnership with the University of Mpumalanga, the Central University of Technology (CUT) and Penreach to advance the implementation of the Provincial Education Research Agenda.
The partnership is aligned with the strategic priorities of the 7th Administration and seeks to strengthen evidence-based planning and decision-making across the education sector. By bringing together government, academia and the non-profit sector, the initiative will build research capacity among educators and ensure that education programmes are informed by credible, locally generated evidence.
The collaborative programme supports teachers pursuing postgraduate studies while remaining in the classroom, equipping them with research skills, academic mentorship and technical support to investigate challenges affecting teaching and learning. It recognises teachers as both practitioners and researchers whose experiences can generate practical solutions that improve learner performance.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education Research Unit has identified the development of teacher-researchers as a strategic priority in implementing the Provincial Education Research Agenda. The University of Mpumalanga provides specialised training in research methodology, while the Central University of Technology supports academic writing, dissertation development and scholarly publication. Penreach facilitates the partnership and contributes more than three decades of experience in implementing, monitoring and evaluating education programmes across South Africa.
Chief Education Specialist: Research at the Mpumalanga Department of Education, Mr Bailey Nkuna, said research remains the most effective tool for transforming education because it enables decision-makers to move beyond assumptions and use reliable evidence to shape interventions.
“Research provides the evidence we need to understand educational challenges, measure what works and design programmes that deliver excellent educational outcomes. When we use data effectively, we are able to develop targeted interventions that improve teaching, strengthen learning and ensure that every decision we make contributes to the success of our learners.”
Penreach Chief Executive Officer, Ms Susanna Behrendt, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening education through credible, locally generated knowledge.
“For us, research is not about proving that Penreach is right. It is about discovering what is true. When teachers investigate their own practice, they generate knowledge that has the power to strengthen classrooms, influence policy and ultimately improve learning outcomes for children.”
The programme was facilitated by Mr Bailey Nkuna, who presented the Provincial Education Research Agenda; Dr Mooki Lobelo from the University of Mpumalanga, who led sessions on research methodology; and Professor Bekithemba Dube from the Central University of Technology, who guided participants on academic writing, thesis development and scholarly publishing.
A key outcome of the partnership is the establishment of a provincial research repository that will preserve and disseminate research produced by educators across Mpumalanga. The repository will serve as an important knowledge resource to inform education policy, improve classroom practice and strengthen the province’s research capacity.
Through this landmark collaboration, the Mpumalanga Department of Education and its partners are laying a solid foundation for a sustainable research culture that will support innovation, improve educational outcomes and advance the strategic priorities of the 7th Administration.