Education Councils: Rural Schools Supporting Each Other

Zithulele Education Council

When you think about rural schools, it’s easy to picture the many challenges they face: shortages of teachers, overworked principals, limited infrastructure, stretched leadership, and a sense of having to figure things out alone. But what if schools didn’t have to face those challenges in isolation? What if, instead of operating in isolation, they could lean on one another, share strategies, and help each other stay on track?

That’s exactly what Axium Education’s Education Councils aim to make possible—a growing network of schools learning and leading together.

Since 2018, Axium has supported the formation of Education Councils; spaces where school leaders, community representatives, funders and education partners come together to share honestly, reflect on practice, and support one another’s progress. These began in our satellite location of AmaJingqi, Willowvale, and by 2024, they grew to include our main site, Zithulele, Mqanduli.

Amajingqi Education Council

Initially, these forums were spaces to share updates and learn from one another’s experiences. But we soon realised that if councils were going to make a real impact, they needed to be more than just conversations. That’s when regular school visits became part of the model, not as inspections, but as a way to understand each other’s contexts and collaborate more meaningfully. Seeing peer schools in action brought fresh insight and strengthened relationships.

This practical collaboration has made a clear difference. For example, at one school, a principal had fallen behind on key commitments, and school morale was slipping. Instead of waiting for outside intervention, fellow principals raised it in the next meeting. That peer accountability created space for reflection and ultimately a change in leadership. In another example, a school battling with timetable clashes received real-time feedback from a neighbouring school that had just solved a similar problem. They didn’t need a district circular; they needed each other.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Some schools were hesitant at first, unsure about the accountability piece. Others found it difficult to open up about what wasn’t working. But the model has matured. Councils now meet regularly, school visits follow a consistent structure, and every session ends with clear, time-bound commitments. These aren't quick fixes; they’re deliberate steps toward building a more reflective and resilient rural school system.

School Development Manager engaging the council

EC Meeting

School Principal engaging the council

This is not about one organisation stepping in with answers. It’s about creating a structure where schools strengthen one another, supported by the right scaffolding. The ultimate goal is sustainability. Education Councils are already chaired by school principals, with community and NPO partners playing key support roles. As this model grows, we envision schools that are truly connected, self-supporting, and driven by shared responsibility.