ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the programme is to develop young leaders.

To achieve economic development in Africa, we need more visionary and action oriented leaders. Currently, we don’t have adequate competent leaders in Africa as supported by a statement by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 2008, ‘Africa is not poor, but poorly managed”.  The opportune time is to develop such leaders when they are young.

Based on the premise that it is important to plant and look after a tree at an early stage, the programme focuses on developing Grade 7 Learner Councillors and equipping them with leadership skills in both Grade 7 and during secondary school. 

PROGRAMME STEPS

Step 1: Prepare a personal leadership development plan (by each councillor). The plan is informed by strength and weakness assessment performed with input from fellow learners, teachers and parents. The young leaders prepare an annual action plan (for areas they require development).

Step 2: Implement development plan with support from parents and teachers for individual action plans

Step 3: Schedule regular group equipping sessions conducted by experts – during weekends throughout the year – to focus on soft leadership skills e.g. communication skills, assertiveness skills, relationship building, team work among others.

Step 4: Learner Councillors organise and host a community project – to display team work

Step 5: Follow the young leader once he/she joins Grade 8 – (i) prepare an individual annual development plan, (ii) implement the plan, (iii) host one formal group leadership training session and (iv) one community project.

Step 6: Follow step 5 in Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12

Step 7: Enrol the young leader in well established leadership programmes once they leave Grade 12.

The young leaders will be offered opportunities at school and in the community to practise the learnt leadership skills.

Monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be in-built throughout the programme. Parents and teachers will be involved in the monitoring process. Formal feedback sessions are held twice with parents and teachers. 

ELIGIBLE LEADERS

The focus is on elected Councillors at Grade 7

To build leadership skills of all learners at school, other leadership training initiatives shall be held for other learners especially those in Grade 6. 

TRAINING SESSIONS FOR 2010

The following group sessions were held in 2010. The sessions were hosted by the coordinator of the Programme, Patrick Kabuya and experts in the specific areas at Montrose Primary School. 

February 20, 2010 Parents, teachers and councillors

March 13, 2010 Conflict management and dealing with emotions Part1

March 20, 2010 Conflict management and dealing with emotions Part 2

April 24, 2010  Receiving and giving feedback and relationship building

May 22, 2010  Assertiveness and time management

July 17, 24, 31, 2010 Communication skills 

CONTACT US

To share any leadership tips that may benefit the young leaders or if you want to receive updates on the programme, please send the information and your contact details to: monty@montrose.org.za For attention: Deputy Principal.