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UFS pioneers student teacher registration with SACE, setting national standard

01 July 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) has taken a groundbreaking step in teacher education, becoming the first university in South Africa to facilitate the provisional registration of its student teachers with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) before they embark on their crucial Work Integrated Learning (WIL) phase. This landmark achievement follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the UFS and SACE, solidifying a collaborative commitment to regulatory compliance and professional development for future educators.

Direct SACE support for student teachers

In June 2025, SACE representatives, led by Harold Tlomatsana, the Provincial Head for SACE in the Free State Province, conducted a dedicated support visit to the Qwaqwa Campus. The purpose of their visit was to directly assist student teachers in completing their online provisional registration applications. The university's Faculty of Education, through its Teaching Practice Directorate, played a pivotal role in this initiative, graciously providing access to its computer laboratories to ensure a seamless and efficient registration process for all students.

This proactive approach ensures that all UFS student teachers are officially registered with SACE, a vital prerequisite for their upcoming July practice teaching component. It is important to note that this provisional registration is distinct from employment-related functions; rather, it stresses the commitment of both institutions to ensure that all aspiring educators are properly recognised and compliant with national standards before gaining practical experience in classrooms.

The signing of the MOU by Prof Loyiso Jita, Dean of the Faculty of Education, alongside SACE representatives, marks a significant milestone. It not only formalises the partnership but also highlights the UFS' dedication to upholding the highest professional standards in teacher training.

A national precedent set

Prof Thuthukile Jita, Director of the Teaching Practice Directorate (TPD), expressed her enthusiasm for this pioneering collaboration. "This initiative is a testament to the hard work and foresight of our team in the Faculty of Education and the TPD office," said Prof Jita. "By partnering with SACE, we are not only streamlining a crucial administrative process for our students but also setting a national precedent for how universities can ensure that their future teachers are fully prepared and compliant with professional regulations from the very outset of their practical training."

The positive impact of this initiative will resonate across all UFS campuses – Bloemfontein, South, and Qwaqwa – stressing the comprehensive reach of the TPD office under Prof Jita's leadership.

Formalising a key partnership: a culmination of continued collaboration

The recent signing of the MOU formal agreement representing not only a new beginning, but rather a culmination of robust, continued collaboration between the UFS and SACE. Both institutions have long shared a commitment to ensuring the highest professional standards for future educators. The MOU formalises and strengthens these existing ties, highlighting the UFS' dedication to upholding the highest professional standards in teacher training and streamlining critical processes for its students.

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Learners to benefit from UFS Partnership for academic excellence

2013-02-21

Thokoana Makaota learners listening attentively during the launch of the partnership with the UFS.
Photo: Thabo Kessah
21 February 2013

The university’s quest for academic excellence in the education system paved the way for the Faculty of Education on the Qwaqwa Campus to enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with a local school, Thokoana Makaota Secondary.

This recently launched partnership will enable learners who are currently in grades 10-12 to attend supplementary classes on the campus.

“The aim of this partnership is to expose learners from the school to adequate tuition in subjects that are generally perceived as difficult. We want them to gain as much confidence as possible when tackling these subjects, therefore they will be using our well-equipped laboratories and classes”, said Dr Lekhooe Letsie, the Programme Coordinator.

“We will also benefit from this as our own final-year education students will act as tutors. This will help them gain confidence before they venture into the real job market next year,” Dr Letsie said.

Dr Letsie also revealed that the student-teachers will be closely monitored by their mentors to ensure maximum success.

The school’s Deputy Principal and UFS alumnus, Serame Sello, said that the school felt humbled by this gesture from the UFS.

“We are confident that this working relationship will yield very positive results for the school and enable us to improve on the 84% pass rate obtained in 2012,” Sello said.

“We did not do so well in the subjects that will be covered here. For instance, we obtained 43% and 61% in Physical Science and Mathematics respectively, but with this partnership we hope for improved results this year,” said Sello.

Other subjects to be covered include Geography, Life Sciences, Economics, and Accounting. The different grades will commute to and from campus on different afternoons.

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