SAMSTIP – ISASA Internship Programme

About ISASA

The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa is the largest and oldest association of independent (private) schools in the Southern African region. ISASA traces its origins to the Conference of Headmasters and Headmistresses, originally formed in 1929.

Since the collapse of the apartheid state and the advent of democracy in South Africa, dramatic changes have occurred in the independent (private) school sector. In 1990, there were approximately 550 registered independent schools in the country. The dominant public perception of independent schools at that time was “white, affluent and exclusive”.

In 2014 there were at least 1584 independent schools in South Africa. The sector educated more than 500,000 learners of which 73% were black (58% were Black African). Traditional, high-fee independent schools are now a minority in the sector, with only an estimated 15% of schools charging fees of more than R 50,000 per annum.

Despite an increase in the number of for-profit independent schools, and in particular for-profit “chain schools”, the sector remains largely not-for-profit. Most independent schools are also small schools, with 350 learners per school or less. This is partly because so many of them are newly established. The sector serves a wide range of different religions, philosophies and educational approaches across the full socio-economic spectrum.

ISASA in an organization that provides its members with services to protect their interests, promote best practice, and support quality education. Services provided by ISASA include financial, advocacy, school best practice, professional development and other services.

ISASA serves over 850 member schools across a broad range of socio-economic and cultural communities and religious affiliations. The member schools are widely spread in South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zambia. These member schools educate more than 190,000 pupils.

ISASA is a non-profit, voluntary association and schools elect to apply for ISASA membership. Any independent school in Southern Africa may apply for ISASA membership, provided it meets the association’s quality requirements. Each member school pays an annual subscription fee to ISASA.

Membership of ISASA is voluntary. ISASA does not own or manage any schools and is not a governing body for private schools.

ISASA’s vision is of a Southern Africa in which quality education is available to all learners, the value of independent education in contributing to his goal is recognized, and a value-based, public-spirited community of diverse, high quality independent schools is developed.

ISASA Internship Program

The South African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Program (SAMSTIP) was formerly called the M&E Program. It draws on the quality education offered by ISASA member schools to help solve a root cause of South Africa’s pressing skills shortage: the very small number of school-leavers, especially disadvantaged African learners, who pass mathematics, and the critical lack of qualified mathematics and science teachers.

Teacher internships provide an alternative, robust training model to supply quality teachers in the scarce subject areas of mathematics and science. Based on a decade of ISASA schools’ experience, they involve school-based training, mentoring, and completion of a university degree by the trainee teachers in member schools.

School-leavers, graduates and mid-career professionals will be targeted in the recruiting drive. The learnerships involve four years of study to obtain a degree in education, or two years (part-time) for a professional teaching qualification.

ISASA Internship Bursaries

SAMSTIP, Investec and the Department of Basic Education are offering prospective Senior and Further Education and Training (FET) teachers specializing in the fields of Mathematics and the Sciences an opportunity to win bursaries to study for a four year Bachelor of Education (B.ED.) degree or a one year Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at UNISA.

As selected candidates, you will receive the following benefits of the program:

• Learn from and be mentored by experienced school teachers
• Access to excellent teaching, learning resources and technology
• Training in Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) schools
• Targeted academic enrichment support, and other value-added services

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The bursary will cover UNISA fees, textbooks and a transport and accommodation allowance, as well as a small stipend.

ISASA Internship Bursaries are available only to:

• School leavers with matric exemption (Bachelor pass) and 60% or more in Mathematics, Sciences (Life Sciences or Physical Sciences) and English
• Tertiary students with Mathematics and Sciences (Life Science or Physical Sciences) credits
• Graduates with Mathematics and/or Science majors

ISASA Internships Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for internship applications at ISASA member schools vary according to the schools’ needs and policy. However, the general minimum requirements may include the following:

• Be a South African citizen
• Be at least 20 years of age
• Have completed Matric, with excellent academic results in English, and especially in Mathematics and/or Science
• Be currently or intending to study a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree or another degree with the aim of studying a PGCE
• Be pursuing or intend to pursue a career in teaching or in a school environment
• Be conversant in indigenous language
• Have proficiency in English
• Hold a driver’s license (not essential but would be advantageous)
• Have a clear criminal record, proven with a certificate
• SACE Registration will be required during the year, if not already obtained

Applying for ISASA Internships

ISASA advertises vacancies on behalf of member schools. ISASA does not employ any school staff. ISASA member schools place positions vacant advertisements on ISASA’s website and anyone may apply for the vacancies listed on the website. You do not need to be a member or have a website account to apply for a vacancy.

Applications should be made to the contact details provided in the advertisement. Please do not end applications to ISASA, for it is a services organization for schools and regrettably does not have the resources to manage a database of persons seeking employment. ISASA, therefore, cannot accept CVs directly from job seekers.

Availability of specific vacancy / opportunity in a specific location vary, depending on the advertisements ISASA receives from schools.

The best way to keep-up-to-date with recent positions vacant is to follow @ISASAjobs on Twitter.

If you would like to place your CV with a recruitment agency that specializes in the education sector, you are recommended to contact The Teacher Network: www.TeacherNetwork.co.za or contact Mary Stuart at TTN@TeacherNetwork.co.za.

For more information on available opportunities with ISASA, please refer to the ISASA Vacancy web page.