The Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI) will offer a wide range of courses this year for teachers and principals who wish to advance their professional development.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) established the CTLI in 2002 to provide in-depth, in-service teacher training, initially as the Cape Teaching Institute.

The institute later expanded its programmes to include training for principals. In 2008, the CTLI provided training for about 160 principals and 2 000 teachers.

The WCED's Internal Human Capital Development Directorate manages the institute, which is based at the former Western Cape College of Education (WCCE) in Nooiensfontein Road, Kuils River.

Foundation phase courses include Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills. Educators in the intermediate phase can improve their knowledge of mathematics, languages, natural sciences, technology, economic management sciences and environmental education.

The courses for teachers in the senior phase include mathematics, Grade 8 reading and technology while courses will also be offered for aspiring principals and school leaders, women in and into management and leadership positions as well as courses dealing with the roles and responsibilities of heads of departments and deputy principals.

Teachers interested in attending these courses can register via their education district office. Only 56 teachers can be registered per course. These teachers will be drawn from all eight education districts of the province. One course is repeated a number of times to enable different cohorts of teachers to attend. Courses of four weeks duration have been split into two blocks to allow teachers to return to school to implement their training.

Investment in teacher training has resulted in 6 451 teachers being given substantial upskilling through long courses at the CTLI since 2004 at an outlay of R12 million. There are also 2 800 graduates of leadership training courses at the CTLI at an outlay of R4.105 million.