“We almost didn’t have enough chairs”.
That was the reality at KHULA’s first educator workshops of 2026, when 160 educators arrived each day for our Foundation Phase Maths and English sessions. Not 160 across the programme, 160 educators, per day! By the time the workshops began, the room was full, the energy was palpable, and it was clear that something important was happening.
This level of turnout reflects a growing appetite among educators to strengthen their practice, deepen their subject knowledge, and give their learners the very best they can – often in classrooms that are overcrowded, under-resourced, and demanding in ways few outside rural education fully see.
The discussions were engaged, the questions thoughtful, and the commitment evident. Teachers were not looking for shortcuts or quick fixes; they were investing in growth, because they know how much it matters for the children in their classrooms.
The momentum didn’t stop there. Our Senior and FET Phase English and Maths workshops also saw over 100 educators in attendance, smashing previous participation records. Across phases and subjects, the message was consistent: educators want to learn, to reflect, and to be part of communities of practice that value quality teaching.
At KHULA Education, we believe that lasting change in education begins with those in the classroom. When educators feel supported, challenged and connected, that impact ripples outward – into learner confidence, stronger foundations in Maths and English, and classrooms where possibility feels real.
We may not have been able to fit everyone into the photographs, but the story is clear. The demand for educator development is growing. The commitment from teachers is stronger than ever. If this is how the year starts, the potential ahead is enormous.