Swain is approaching retirement after a diverse career that has included roles as a geography and physical education teacher, school counsellor and deputy principal. He also led several schools including Crawford College, Durban High School, George Campbell school of technology, Port Shepstone High school, and Penzance Primary school in KwaZulu-Natal.
He later worked with higher education institutions on new initiatives and played a key role in developing the next generation of teachers. Swain says that throughout his career, he has seen that at the heart of education remains a commitment to making a difference and helping others succeed by giving them the support, skills and knowledge to grow.
Dynamics of SA’s Teaching Landscape
South Africa has a complex education landscape, especially because of entrenched fragmentation, underfunding and inequality. However, Swain adds that even in the most challenging of environments, he has seen the impact that individual teachers and leaders have on the lives of children.
A combination of teachers who care, good leaders and parental commitment have made certain schools breeding grounds of excellence.
One key shift in education in South Africa has been the growth of private sector education. “This has added a new dimension because it has taken top-class education into new places,” says Swain.
While private education institutions have to adhere to the rigorous checks and balances required by the government, “we're a little bit more nimble because we don't have legacy problems, and we've got an entrepreneurial driving spirit,” says Swain. He adds that this creates opportunities for private institutions to react quicker to the market and to be more flexible in their approach to their students.
Globalisation of education
Another notable shift in education over the past few decades has been the globalisation of knowledge.
We have been given access to see many different kinds of education systems and philosophies. When I was a headmaster, I was privileged to be part of a principals’ exchange unit with principals in the UK and New Zealand… we learned so much about different ways in which to organise schools and organise education, and we were able to come back and put it into practice.
As to how he found himself taking on so many different roles during his career, Swain emphasises that he was open to new opportunities. Some of them were steep learning curves, but he grew in each stage and that has given him a unique perspective on the entire teaching ecosystem; from being a learner and teacher himself to now being integral in training teachers and helping develop educational institutions.
Swain says the act of sharing skills and knowledge with others is about “passing on the gift” that you have received.
As a leader himself, he says that having a good team around him is his greatest asset. Taking an interest and caring about the needs of each individual in your team makes all the difference.
It's important to talk to every person at their level, and take a personal interest in what they do and their circumstances, family, etc. If I can do that, then I can have the expectation of amazing performance.
Looking to the future
Looking to the future of education, Swain believes that the benefits of technology and the growth of distance learning, which expand opportunities for learners from primary school through to higher education, are immense.
As Swain bids farewell, he shares that providing a good education that will set learners up for success for the rest of their lives is a team effort.
Education is a partnership. Hence after retirement, will be spending my time helping STADIO look for stakeholders such as schools that can partner with the institution. My philosophy is that we should always pass on the gift, hence it will not only stop at retirement
For more information about STADIO’s range of distance and in-person learning programmes, visit the STADIO website.
