FEDSAS’s status as an international role-player in the education sector increased further this week following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE). This umbrella organisation represents education employers from all levels in Europe, from preschool to tertiary. Members include national organisations such as education ministries and councils of colleges and universities to local and regional authorities. The EFEE has about 60 members representing 27 European countries.

“This MOU is not just of great value for FEDSAS; the entire continent could benefit from closer cooperation with the European education sector,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools. Deacon started with the process a year ago when he was invited to speak at the EFEE’s conference in Slovenia. Since then, both organisations have been attending the other’s online training sessions and shared resources and material.

“We are very excited to make our informal arrangement official. The EFEE’s goals and activities are similar to that of FEDSAS namely, to promote quality education and school governance. The EFEE is an organisation with highly-level input as official European social partner for education and as official dialogue partner for institutions of the European Union.”

The Secretary General of the EFEE, Dr Daniel Wisniewski, was the guest speaker at FEDSAS’s gala dinner in Bloemfontein over the weekend (22 November 2024). In his speech, Wisniewski mentioned that the EFEE has long been looking to expand its involvement in Africa. “In FEDSAS we have found a partner that shares our goals and approaches. FEDSAS’s expertise brings a different perspective to school governance and creates development opportunities for both organisations.”

Deacon says the EFEE is very interested in FEDSAS’s publication on the application of the King principles of good governance in schools. “We are busy with a presentation for a project on school governance and we are also looking into the possibility of an exchange programme for staff to gain international exposure.”

Deacon says a big priority is the establishment of a world organisation for school governors and education employers. “On an international level, such an organisation could be a representative voice at the UN and its agencies.”

For more than three decades, FEDSAS has promoted quality education for all children of South Africa. “This is a wonderful opportunity to share our expertise and experience beyond our borders, to benchmark ourselves against international best practice and to plough back into our own education sector.”

* At the gala dinner in Bloemfontein, FEDSAS also acknowledged the work of several service providers, organisations and people who contribute to the development of the South African education sector:

• Ann Morton (Principal of Pineland North Primary School in Cape Town) and Kobus Buitendag (Principal of Arboretum Primary School in Richard’s Bay) were honoured for their passion in promoting education at these schools and for the international achievements of the schools. Morton was also the guest speaker at FEDSAS’s annual general meeting on 23 November 2024. She shared ideas on how to manage a successful school. 

• Saskia Meijer (Pretoria FM) and Pieter Steyn (RSG content manager) were honoured for their contributions in creating media platforms for conversations about education issues.

• Johan Smith (Vita Amp), Manie Botha (Brain Tribe) and Joyce Ras (Capability2Lead) were honoured for their contributions to the well-being of FEDSAS’s staff as well as their involvement with schools and education country wide.

• Riaan Wagener (Memory Creator) and Willem Kitshoff (D6Ed) were honoured for their contributions to education technology and technical support to FEDSAS.

• Marius van Rensburg (Horn & van Rensburg Attorneys) was honoured for his considerable contribution to the development of education law.