Page 35 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2025

Ubuntu Curriculum

at Beaulieu College

Beaulieu College (BC) follows the philosophy of holistic development of students. Our purpose is to help students
become well-rounded and well-balanced individuals by exposing them to a wide variety of academic and extra-mural
activities. In line with our educational philosophy, BC created a novel curriculum called Ubuntu Curriculum derived
from the principle of ‘Ubuntu’ (humanity) merged with the South African Constitution.

BC prioritises inclusivity, equality, and human dignity which finds expression in the South African Constitution. The
school developed the Ubuntu Curriculum in order to teach civic education to students in a manner that reinforces
Constitutional values, principles of ubuntu (humanity), collaborative thinking, equality, and basic human rights.
During lessons students are given the intellectual freedom and latitude to creatively engage with one another,
encouraging critical thinking, self-awareness, independence, and the development of strong ethical foundations.

Since 2023, the Ubuntu Curriculum at Beaulieu College has focused on the following areas:
• Creation of a democratic and open society
• Promotion of the rule of law
• Accountability (being responsible for one’s actions)
• Respect and reconciliation
• Ubuntu and humaneness (human dignity)
• Non-racism and non-sexism (inclusivity)
• Social justice and equity (equality).

Group work, discussions, presentations, and debates are employed as teaching methodologies that help to extract
the very best thoughts and practice from students. Independent thought, self-reflection and situational awareness
are core educational values applied during these lessons. Furthermore, students are given real-life scenarios to
discuss and resolve, for example they were given case studies involving the school’s hair policy; wearing nose studs
for religious reasons; wearing goat-skin armbands; and the availability of transgender-specific ablution facilities in
the school.
Our Constitutional classes (under Ubuntu Curriculum) have reinforced the move towards Constitutionality
(observance of Constitutional rights). As a school (Beaulieu College), we want to create a culture and ethos of
fairness that will allow our students to treat each other respectfully and with ubuntu. We want to continue
upholding the existing school culture that observes human rights and human dignity. In 2025, the Ubuntu
Curriculum has been extended to Grades 10 and 11. Initially it was only taught to the Grades 8 and 9, but due to
endless demands and its popularity among students, it was extended to higher grades this year.
As the Group Head of Organisational Culture at Kyalami Schools Group (KSG), I’ve had the privilege of working with
different staff members across KSG campuses. I’ve been exposed to positive school culture and ethos that promotes
communal spirit, caring for one another, mutual respect, professionalism, and hardwork. As we are affectionately
known as ‘the community of schools developing global achievers’, we decided to walk down the less travelled road
of extreme innovation and pushing educational boundaries for the benefit of students. Consequently, we have
become one of the very few schools to integrate the South African constitution into a full-fledged curriculum.

BC and KSG have slowly found their confidence in the task of growing global achievers. The intention was to create
and implement an innovative education programme that would produce model future citizens of a democratic South
Africa. We have continued to build an equitable school environment that will help students and all staff to reach
their full potential. Many planned developmental programmes will help bring the desired change that is in line with
our ICARE (Integrity, Consistency, Accountability, Respect and Excellence) school values.
Alis Vola Propriis! (Fly with your own wings)
Written by Xolani Majola | Head of Organisational Culture

www.kyalamischools.org | 010 591 5004

Xolani Majola _ Ubuntu Cirriculum without bleed.pdf 1 2/13/2025 2:23:07 PM