Execs Back to School 2021

• The third annual event offers executives an opportunity to engage with public school principals to better understand the importance of school leadership as a driver of quality education
• Participants will gain insights into the challenges that plagued the education system before the pandemic started, and how schools across South Africa are coping in the midst of COVID-19 and the social unrest that recently gripped SA
• The experience will help participants better understand how they can contribute to create #TheFutureWeWant for public education and for South Africa

Business executives who care about education in South Africa are being called on to participate in the 2021 edition of Execs Back to School hosted by Symphonia for South Africa’s flagship programme Partners for Possibility (PfP), and proudly sponsored by investment holding company Sphere Holdings.

CEO of Symphonia for South Africa, Komala Pillay, said: ‘’As South Africans grapple with the challenges of unrest, poverty, and inequality in our country, it is clear that deeper understanding and fresh thinking is required to support our education system in an effective and sustainable manner. It is also becoming increasingly clear that in order to tackle the challenges we face as a nation, we must focus our attention on our schools – the institutions at the centre of each and every community.

Execs Back to School is an unmissable experience for executives who are keen to understand the public education space and the challenges created by the socio-economic realities in under-resourced communities, while fully grasping the extent of the disruption brought on by the pandemic and the recent social unrest. It is also a novel platform for those who are interested in collaborating with Symphonia for South Africa to address some of these challenges, or contemplating a Partners for Possibility partnership.’’

Traditionally an in-person immersion experience, this year’s event also provides for a virtual school visit option. Between 14 and 15 September, business executives will be able to participate in an in-person or a virtual school visit with a principal. Participants will be able to visit schools in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Durban.

Following these school visits, participants will attend an online debrief event on 16 September to share their observations and insights, reflect on their experience and discuss possible solutions. Transformational Coach and Speaker, experienced business executive and Founder of the Summits with a Purpose initiative, Saray Khumalo, will feature as the main speaker of the event.

Pillay concluded, “We’re challenging executives to be part of a conversation that stimulates new thinking and explores the pivotal role of business in education, and how we can partner to chart the way forward together to create #TheFutureWeWant for education and our country.”

**************************************************************************************************************************

Note to the Editor

About Execs Back to School

Execs Back to School aims to create awareness within the business community of the available opportunities to empower schools and school principals with the skills, knowledge and support they need to lead change in their schools and build supportive, active school communities. The event is also advocates for deeper levels of cross-sectoral collaboration and skills sharing in addressing some of South Africa’s most critical issues.

About Partners for Possibility

Partners for Possibility offers professional coaching, world-class training workshops over the course of a year, practical leadership development exposure and regular learning and networking opportunities for principals. Through partnerships with business leaders, principals gain the skills needed to lead change and mobilise parents and communities around their schools – which ultimately leads to a better quality education for all learners.

Visit https://www.pfp4sa.org/

About participating

If you would like to be part of the cohort of business executives who have found Execs Back to School a unique and enriching experience, register here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Execs2021. Feel free to share this opportunity within your networks.

For more information

Dorcas Dube

Marketing and Communications Manager

Dorcas@Symphonia.net or 076 766 2326