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Between 2000 and 2003 the British Council and the South African Department of Education collaborated on a fellowship programme called Tirisano. Tirisano means working together in Setswana and the fellowship owed its success to the strong partnerships which were its key feature. The Tirisano programme aimed to:
- Redress race and gender inequalities in college management
- Provide colleges with a skilled tier of middle managers, with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that colleges will require to respond effectively to the needs of learners and stakeholders; and
- Create a cadre of leaders for the colleges of tomorrow.
South African college managers were drawn from all 9 provinces in South Africa and spent 3 months at a UK College, following a tailor-made professional development programme.
“Tirisano has given me greater insight into how I could play a role in improving my college. I have learnt to be more analytical in my approach and to have a broader vision of where I want to be. I really plan now, get actively involved, set target dates and make sure it happens. There are huge differences between South Africa and here. In the UK students take everything for granted, but not at home where they have to be really determined to further their studies. Tirisano is a wonderful programme. You are exposed to international FE practices to take what's appropriate back with you. You learn to think independently and you get a better insight into where we should be going.”
Donovan Baatjies. Rural College, South Africa
“We UK colleges gain too. Having a fellow in the college makes us stop, reflect and question ourselves. We start to think through and look anew at our processes and procedures. The energy and commitment of the fellows is outstanding.”
Elizabeth Morrison, Fermanagh College, UK
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