Teaching schools (TSs) are described in the Framework as “teaching laboratories”, where students can engage in learning-from-practice, for example by observing best practice, participating in micro-teaching and taking subject methodology courses. TSs may also be used as centres for research into teaching and learning. Furthermore, staff at TSs will be developed as mentors for student teachers and will be able to teach methodology courses. It is stated in the Framework that TSs will be located close to each teacher education delivery site and will consist of one primary school and one secondary school per site. The Framework also states the need to develop national norms and standards for TSs.

In response to this, a research group from the Faculty of Education has been tasked by the Department of Higher Education and Training (with sponsorship from European Union funding) to research the establishment of teaching schools at teacher education institutions in South Africa. The Faculty already has experience in this regard with its Funda UJabule School on the Soweto campus. The school is a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Education and UJ. It is a public school, serving children and parents in Soweto; it is also a research/training school, a first of its kind in South Africa.

The research focuses on developing an understanding of the preconditions for establishing TSs, the nature of the relationship between higher education institutions and TSs, the status of these schools in terms of the education legislation framework, and how TSs could serve as “teaching laboratories” and research sites. One of the outcomes of the research will be “norms and standards for TSs” as indicated in the “Integrated Strategic Planning Framework for Teacher Education and Development in South Africa”.