"Thought leadership. Through innovation!"
The Stellenbosch University Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) is grounded within the understanding of pedagogy, with its foundation based on ensuring stronger links between the teaching aspects and optimising learning in the classroom towards improving learner outcomes. SUNCEP’s vision is to be the leading institution for the provision of quality academic professional learning and development and learner support programmes in South Africa. Its mission is to provide holistic quality academic support to improve academic achievement, through professional learning and learner support programmes.
"Suncep remains committed to further strengthening our institution's position not only as thought leaders but as a strategically placed educational centre that will continue to transform communities and enhancing educational strategies in an everchanging and evolving educational landscape" Ms. Nokwanda Siyengo
The general aim of SUNCEP, in collaboration with the Faculty of Education, is to contribute to the development of educational leadership, teacher professional learning generally, improve student performance and prepare students for university study through formal and informal education programmes.
Innovation,
Collaboration,
Development.
The Centre’s dynamic structure includes four key components: Teacher Professional Learning (TPL), Learner Enhancement (LE), University Preparation Programmes (UPP), and Research, each led by a dedicated head. While these components operate individually, their leaders and teams work collaboratively
to create synergy, reflecting SUNCEP’s belief that educational development is a complex process requiring ongoing, multi-layered interventions involving
all stakeholders.
SUNCEP is committed to sharing the insights and experiences gained through its initiatives. This is achieved through the Research component’s activities,
which include conducting research, publishing findings, presenting at national and international conferences, and supervising postgraduate students.
SUNCEP operates within the Faculty of Education, with the Director reporting directly to the Dean. This strategic positioning allows SUNCEP to leverage the expertise of and collaborate with faculty staff members.
Components
The Centre’s dynamic structure includes four key components: Teacher Professional Learning (TPL), Learner Enhancement (LE), University Preparation Programmes (UPP), and Research.
SUNCEP places sustainability at the core of its initiatives, firmly believing that teachers should ultimately lead educational development within their schools. To this end, SUNCEP provides Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) initiatives, which run concurrently with or independently from supplementary learner support processes. These include full qualification courses, such as the Advanced Diploma in Education programmes, and accredited short courses for current teachers in Mathematics, Natural, Physical, and Life Sciences. Additionally, SUNCEP offers courses in Educational Leadership and School Management for education officials, including district advisors, school principals, deputy principals, and department heads. These professional learning courses are delivered in a blended format, combining face-to-face contact sessions, telematics sessions, and interactive e-lessons, or fully online. These tools facilitate communication between SUNCEP and teachers, fostering professional learning communities that can sustain themselves post-project. Mentoring is a key part of the post-teaching process.
Learners with the potential to succeed at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) receive holistic support through innovative University Preparation Programmes (UPPs). SUNCEP offers these UPP's through two dedicated streams, First Opportunity (in school) Programmes and Second Opportunity (post grade 12) Bridging Programmes.
The "first opportunity" University Preparation Programmes (UPPs) at SUNCEP extend beyond standard academic support, offering a holistic framework designed to cultivate exceptional performance in learners who demonstrate high academic potential, particularly in STEM fields. These programmes aim not only to improve immediate academic outcomes but also to foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of complex subject matter. By engaging learners in supplementary tuition outside of regular school hours—through tutoring, holiday schools, and specialised problem-solving classes—these programmes create an environment where students are continuously challenged to push their boundaries.
Our Learning Enhancement (LE) initiatives focus on boosting the academic performance of learners in Grades R–12 across several education districts in the Western Cape. At the heart of these programmes is the development of strong literacy and numeracy foundations. Learners are provided with digital devices and e-learning resources designed to meet their specific needs, while teachers receive training in digital pedagogy to integrate technology effectively into their lessons. This combined approach enhances learners’ digital competence and equips them for success in an increasingly technology-driven world.
LE academic interventions provide participants with an opportunity to engage in challenging academic work while also offering social experience and exposure to valuable foundational skills. This is achieved through face-to-face tuition, advanced teaching
methods, and the use of cutting-edge technology. Learners in foundation phase also have the opportunity to develop skills in coding and robotics through a dedicated Digi Cluster.
SUNCEP also has a robust Research component, led by a dedicated head, and boasts significant research output, including reports, presentations at international and national conferences, and articles/book chapters in accredited journals and prestigious news platforms. We committed to sharing the insights and experiences gained through its initiatives. This is achieved through the Research component's activities, which include conducting research, publishing findings, presenting at national and international conferences, and supervising postgraduate students.
SUNCEP continues to strengthen its international partnerships and research collaborations through a range of academic and cultural exchange initiatives. The focus is on internationalization, collaboration, and mobilization. Activities include cultural exchange programmes, teacher development programmes, consultancy and more. Our footprint extends extends over four continents with partners in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States.
What we offer
You are invited to explore our diverse range of offerings and to meet our team
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SciMathUS | SUNCEP Smart class | Meet our team |