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I write this with a heart full of joy, having witnessed the true power of parental engagement in school activities. As Steven Mollo, Network & Engagement Lead for Teachers CAN, once said, “I don’t know what parental engagement is.” Indeed, the results of our journey show that many of us are only beginning to grasp […]

Facilitating the recent Teachers CAN immersion was one of the most grounding experiences of my journey as an educator. I could feel the weight of what it means to hold space, not just to lead discussions, but to create a place where teachers could arrive as their full selves. As a participant, I once came […]

South Africa’s teachers stand on the frontlines of our democracy’s greatest promise: education as a pathway to equality, dignity, and opportunity. Every day, they navigate overcrowded classrooms, scarce resources, and the weight of societal inequalities—yet they remain the backbone of our education system. And still, their voices are too often absent in the very conversations […]

In a recent session with teachers, a powerful and sobering conversation unfolded. Teachers shared openly about the realities of trying to advocate for themselves and for one another within their schools. What emerged was not just individual frustration but a collective struggle that many teachers can deeply relate to.  Advocacy in education is not a […]

As I move through spaces with teachers across South Africa, I am reminded again and again: “Teachers are not just part of the education system — they are the system.” Every conversation, every circle, every moment of reflection affirms one truth: Teachers are the heartbeat of change.  And yet, even the most committed among us sometimes feel […]

“Teachers are not just coping-they’re catalysing. And they’re doing it together.”  Across South Africa, teachers are navigating a daily reality that stretches far beyond what they were trained for. Teaching in overcrowded classrooms. Managing under-resourced schools. Supporting learners facing deep trauma and poverty. And doing so with little recognition, minimal institutional support, and all too […]

By Steven Mollo- Teachers CAN Network Engagement Lead   This year, during multiple immersion sessions in Gauteng and the Northwest, one theme came through louder than any other: the mental health of teachers.  It came through in the stories they shared, sometimes in hushed voices, with tears they tried to hold back. Many spoke of the […]

The Multiplier Programme Immersion is always a highlight of our year – a time to meet with our Lead Multipliers in person, learn from one another and deepen our shared commitment to change in education. This year, we are focusing on three provinces – Gauteng, Limpopo and North West. The gatherings, held during the June […]

During Day 2 of our 2025 Lead Multiplier Immersion, teachers took part in a simple yet revealing challenge: build the tallest free-standing tower using everyday materials. What unfolded was more than just a creative icebreaker – it was a window into how we work together, how we handle pressure, and how our personalities influence collaboration. […]

Youth month celebrates the activism of young people, but teachers have been organised activists since the Teachers League of South Africa was founded in 1913. It is time to acknowledge the role of teachers in building our nation  South Africa observes Youth month in June to honour the Soweto Uprising of 1976, when thousands of black learners courageously […]

Since its inception in 2020, Teachers CAN has been committed to empowering teachers as change agents within their schools and communities. Over the years, the Teachers CAN Fellowship has played a pivotal role in creating a network of passionate, motivated educators dedicated to transforming education from the ground up. However, as we evolve, we recognise […]

In South Africa, a child’s educational journey is shaped by three interconnected pillars: home, school, and community. Reflecting on my years of work with organisations advocating for quality education, I’ve come to understand that education cannot be confined to the classroom. Instead, it must be seen as a holistic process supported by multiple stakeholders collaborating […]

Five years ago, we set out to build a network of young, motivated teachers who could shape the future of education by driving change from within our schooling system. We believed that by fostering agency among teachers, we could ultimately improve learning outcomes for learners across the country.   When we began our work in […]

Many young, new teachers may not fully understand what true support looks like because, unfortunately, it is often neither offered nor clearly defined in their early professional journey. So, we must ask: in a well-functioning education system, what would meaningful support for young teachers look like? What should it be? Reflecting on my own experience, […]

Teacher’s CAN found me when I knew that I needed something more from my career as a teacher. This is by no means a promotional text, but a reality of one teacher, possibly a mirror of every young teacher out there who got into this profession fuelled by the fire of being a change maker. […]

When I hear the word “generative,” it evokes images of something dynamic, life-giving, and multidimensional. It suggests a space that is supportive, positive, and reciprocal. As we explore the concept of a generative community at Teachers CAN, these same qualities come to mind. I envision change agent teachers and allies who are active, intentional participants […]

As a Communications and Engagement Specialist participating in the Teachers Can Fellowship immersion, I had the unique opportunity to delve deep into the theme of “building a generative community.” This immersion was a transformative experience, shedding light on the profound impact of community expansion and collective action. The insights gained from these sessions have reinforced […]

Immersion two kicked off on the 20th of June 2024 in the stunning and picturesque wine lands of the Western Cape in Stellenbosch. Picture this: I flew in from Johannesburg with eight other fellows and we hit the ground running as soon as we arrived at our venue joined by other fellows from different parts of […]

In an exciting start to 2024, Teachers CAN set out to achieve a never-before-experience with the network. We hosted the Fellowship and the newly developed Multiplier programme immersions concurrently. The bigger aim of this was to further establish a sense of collective voice amongst the teachers. Designing the immersion this way allowed the network of […]

As we move into the immersion two of the Teachers CAN Fellowship and the Multiplier programme, we as the team reflect on what it means for us to hold space, build community and how we shift from individual agency to collective agency. All of which has been truly inspired by our network of teachers. We […]

The Teachers CAN Exchange is an annual conference that brings the education ecosystem together in a generative community with the aim of amplifying the voices of young teachers. . The conference takes place at the fringes of World Teachers’ Day and provides a platform for young, motivated teachers to share innovative insights and solutions to […]

It’s no secret that we have poor education outcomes with four out of five Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning in any language of this country. Teachers are often blamed; their attitudes, outdated and inefficient pedagogical practices, and poor content knowledge are considered key contributors to poor education outcomes in lower quintile schools. […]

On 15 October 2022 Teachers CAN hosted its inaugural Teachers CAN Exchange. It has been two weeks since we met in person at the Teachers CAN Exchange. What a wonderful experience that was being able to share with you the findings of the study we embarked on in 2021: An examination of young teacher experiences. Available […]

Last year, we undertook a study that explores how young teachers in South Africa understand their experiences, issues, challenges, and aspirations relative to our Teachers CAN manifesto. With the ultimate aim of bringing together different role players in the education sector to create a common understanding and base from which to work together with young […]