ADvTECH delivers another strong set of results at the half year

Over the past decade, as the Cambridge curriculum gained popularity in South Africa, the number of schools and institutions offering this internationally recognised education pathway mushroomed across the country. However, as many parents who wanted to ensure their child received the best possible education came to realise, not all schools are equally equipped to deliver the curriculum effectively. “It is not unusual for students and parents to arrive late in their school journey only to find out that they are not ready whatsoever for their final exams, despite having performed adequately before,” says Marlene Van Der Wath, Brand Academic Head at ADvTECH Schools, Africa’s leading private education provider. She says the Cambridge curriculum has unique requirements and logistics which, if not properly understood, supported and implemented, can leave students significantly in the lurch. “We therefore encourage parents to ensure they have done their due diligence checks before enrolling their child at a school offering the Cambridge curriculum, to ensure the student is able to complete their schooling successfully and with as little additional pressure as possible,” she says. THE CAMBRIDGE CURRICULUM The Cambridge curriculum stands out as an exceptional educational path due to its comprehensive and challenging framework. It is meticulously designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills from an early age through to advanced levels. By offering a structured progression from the Early Years through Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and AS/A Levels, it ensures that students build a solid academic foundation and are well-prepared for higher education. Additionally, its global recognition opens doors to universities and career opportunities worldwide, making it an ideal choice for students aiming for academic excellence and international prospects. Cambridge also continually revises their curricula to keep up with international trends and research regarding education. KEY FACTORS WHEN EVALUATING A CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL Accreditation and recognition When selecting a school, it’s crucial to verify that it holds accreditation from Cambridge Assessment International Education. This accreditation ensures that the school undergoes regular inspections and adheres to specific quality standards. Additionally, it’s important to confirm that the school’s qualifications are recognised by South African universities and other international institutions, ensuring that students have access to a wide range of higher education opportunities both locally and globally. Qualified and experienced staff When evaluating a school, it’s important to assess the qualifications and experience of the teaching staff. Educators should have specialised training in the Cambridge curriculum and a proven history of effectively supporting students through it. Additionally, seek out schools that offer continuous professional development for their teachers, to ensure they remain current with the latest educational methodologies. Curriculum delivery and support To determine a school’s approach to delivering the curriculum, it’s important to look for a balanced method that combines both theoretical knowledge and practical application. This means that while students are learning the fundamental concepts and theories, they are also given opportunities to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios, through activities like experiments, projects, and hands-on learning experiences. This approach helps students to better understand and retain information, making their education more meaningful and engaging. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that the school provides ample support for students. This can include tutoring services for those who need extra help with their studies, mentoring programmes to guide students through their academic journey, and access to resources such as well-equipped libraries and modern laboratories. These resources can significantly enhance the learning experience, providing students with the tools they need to succeed academically and develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they are studying. Also, ensure the school has access to Cambridge-approved textbooks and learning materials. ·Student performance and outcomes Examine the school’s historical performance, and speak to past and current students and parents. Consistently high pass rates and top grades are strong indicators that the school effectively delivers the curriculum and supports student achievement. This data can provide valuable insights into the quality of education and the effectiveness of teaching methods employed by the school. This applies not only to the top achievers, but also the students who are supported to perform to the best of their ability to improve their grades. Additionally, take into account the achievements of the school’s alumni. Investigate how former students have fared in higher education and their subsequent career paths. Successful alumni who have gained admission to prestigious universities and excelled in their professional lives reflect positively on the school’s long-term impact. This information can help parents gauge the school’s ability to prepare students not just for exams, but for future academic and career success. “Going the Cambridge route can solidly position your child for a successful academic journey and future success,” says Van Der Wath. “But choosing the right school for your child’s Cambridge education is crucial for their successful academic and personal development.”

South African classrooms today are more diverse than ever before, and the need for personalised learning journeys are greater than ever before. To ensure that each student reaches their full potential within these diverse environments, the adoption of adaptive learning is increasingly becoming a non-negotiable, an education expert says. “The traditional one-size-fits-all approach to teaching is becoming increasingly outdated as adaptive learning comes into its own,” says Malecia Makgata, Instructional Designer at The Independent Institute of Education , SA’s leading private higher education institution. As classrooms and student bodies continue to diversify in several areas, including but not limited to culturally and ethnically, with various curricula preferences, language diversity, learning styles and abilities and socioeconomic diversity, the need to harness technological advancements in learning becomes ever greater, she says. “Adaptive learning is a revolutionary method that tailors educational experiences to meet the unique needs of each student. By leveraging technology and real-time data, adaptive learning systems can adjust the pace, style, and content of instruction and just-in-time feedback, ensuring that every learner can achieve their full potential.” Makgata says the importance of adaptive learning cannot be overstated. It not only enhances student engagement and performance but also fosters an inclusive environment where all students feel empowered and supported. “To truly embrace the benefits of adaptive learning, educational institutions must rethink and redesign their teaching strategies, moving away from rigid syllabi and towards more flexible, personalised learning experiences. This shift is essential for preparing students to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic world,” she says. Makgata says the days of the traditional classroom experience – where everyone learned at the same pace, using the same textbooks, and listening to the same material taught by their teachers – are rapidly fading. Adaptive learning, also known as personalised learning, is an innovative approach to Teaching and Learning that uses AI and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to tailor-make learning paths for each student, meeting them where they are in their learning journey, whilst still working towards the common goal of achieving the learning outcomes in a specific course. “Imagine a learning journey where you receive instant, personalised feedback pinpointing areas for development and growth, accompanied by tailored recommendations for resources and learning pathways that address your unique needs, empowering you to bridge knowledge gaps and solidify new skills at your own pace, accelerating or decelerating as needed,” explains Makgata. “With personalised learning, this is a reality. By tailoring the learning experience to individual students' needs, interests, and learning styles, personalised learning increases student engagement and motivation, leading to improved academic achievement and increased graduation rates. Whether you quickly master a concept because the content perfectly matches your learning style or cognitive development level, or need extra support to grasp a difficult idea, personalised learning ensures a more enjoyable and effective experience, resulting in higher student satisfaction and reduced dropout rates.” While adaptive learning plays an important role at school level, it is imperative for higher education institutions to embrace the adaptive learning approach as rapidly as they can, Makgata says. “It is especially beneficial for students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities, language barriers, or varying learning styles. It improves equality of opportunities and empowers students to learn in a way that suits them best. “Lecturers also benefit, as they can now focus on guiding and supporting individual students by utilising LMS system analytics and the results from micro-assessments to quickly determine where students require additional support or even more challenging approaches, enabling them to adjust their instruction on-the-go,” says Makgata. She says it is evident that personalised learning has a profoundly positive impact on students. “By tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, personalised learning increases students' interest and learning achievement, while also enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “This flexible approach empowers students to learn at their own pace, fostering a sense of autonomy and agency. Ultimately, personalised learning enables students to become more confident and effective learners, better equipped to embrace challenges and pursue lifelong learning with enthusiasm and resilience.”

School choice is not a straightforward ticking-of-the-boxes exercise. As all parents know, there are many factors that influence the decision-making process. Even when exhaustive investigations have been done, questions may still remain whether the right choice was made. At this time of year, following the mid-term exams, and looking forward to a new school year, parents may be considering moving schools due to various factors – academic, social and emotional. The decision to move schools is a significant one that can come with major upsides but also unforeseen downsides, and therefore warrants careful consideration. Education experts from ADvTECH Schools say that while moving schools is a hard call to make, there are ways to determine whether a child’s current school is the best fit for them, or whether they will be best served in a new or different environment. Renie Sutherland, Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School Morningside, says there are a few factors to take into consideration when assessing if a school is a good match. They include the questions of: Progress or Regresses : If your child is no longer making progress or is regressing despite the support in place, it may indicate that the current environment is not meeting their needs. Emotional Distress : If your child exhibits consistent emotional distress, anxiety, or behavioural issues that seem exacerbated by the school setting, this might be a sign that the environment is not conducive to their well-being. Lack of Adequate Resources : If the school is unable to provide the necessary resources, therapies, or accommodations that your child needs to thrive, it might be time to explore other options. Mismatch in Educational Philosophy : If the school’s approach to education and support structures does not align with your child’s learning style or needs, it could be beneficial to seek a school with a more tailored approach. “The ideal environment varies based on the child’s specific challenges; for example a child with learning difficulties might need a more specialised setting, which offers individualised learning plans, smaller class sizes, and dedicated support staff,” she says. Sutherland says when considering alternative options, parents should: Visit Schools : Schedule visits to potential schools to observe the environment, meet the staff, and see how the school operates on a day-to-day basis. Speak to the Principal : Have an in-depth conversation with the principal or head of the learning support team. Discuss your child’s specific needs and how the school can meet them. Assessments : Arrange for your child to be assessed by an educational psychologist or a specialist to gain a clear understanding of their needs and the type of environment that would best support their development. Talk to Other Parents : Connect with parents who have children with similar challenges to hear their experiences with different schools. “Trusting your instincts as a parent is important. If you feel that your child’s current school is not meeting their needs, exploring other options may be the best decision for your child’s long-term success and happiness. How your child responds to school (happy or anxious) is a good determiner of how your child copes at school. Academic success is very much connected to emotional well-being, especially for children who require additional support.” Marion Kohler, Principal at Abbotts JHB South, says there are a number of reasons as to why a school does not work out for student. “It could be for emotional reasons, where the child is not making friends, or there has been social isolation. Academic progress could also be a factor, where the child feels they are not getting the necessary support from the teachers or school, or that their subject offering is not aligned with future goals. “However, it is important to differentiate between typical challenges that can be overcome with time and support, and those that are perhaps just an incompatibility with the school environment. If the issues persist despite efforts to address them, it may be time to consider a change. A school cannot be everything to everybody.” Kohler says when considering changing schools, it is important to look at the specific needs of a child when looking for a good fit for children with specific challenges. “Most good schools will offer support for children with barriers to learning, in the form of concessions for exams and tests. There are also more niche schools that are very accommodating of children with mild autism, ADHD, learning barriers such as slow processing speeds, dyslexia, dyscalculia and those with mental health challenges. “If a child has neurodiverse challenges that are more severe than those mentioned, a school with a stronger support system, such as specialized education services and teachers trained in differentiated instruction for these types of students would be a better fit.” When investigating alternative options, word of mouth from current parents in a school would be wise, and definitely a visit to the school with an appointment to see the principal could support the decision to change schools. “Obviously, proximity to home, affordability and fit are important factors to consider. Thereafter, schedule an appointment with the principal and a tour of the school. One gets a ‘feel’ of the culture and climate of the school, what their offerings are and whether you think your child would settle in the environment,” says Kohler. When contemplating changing schools it is important to weigh up the concerns against potential opportunities, she says. “If the concerns are ongoing and are affecting a child emotionally, such as bullying, or a general anxiety, perhaps an online school or a school with fewer students may be a better fit. “However there is also value in remaining in the same school, as it allows students to build deeper relationships with peers and teachers and to develop coping mechanisms including grit, emotional regulation, resilience, perseverance and a growth mindset.”

Professional industry insight crucial for the creation of effective university curricula & work readiness Professional industry experts possess valuable insights into the complexities of day-to-day business activities, including rapid developments in their respective fields, which means they have a crucial contribution to make in the development of university curricula. By integrating the necessary skills, knowledge, and practical work experience required by graduates, these professionals can significantly contribute to the enhancement of curricula, an education expert says. “Too many of our graduates in South Africa leave university with little more than academic - and unfortunately often outdated academic - knowledge only, rendering them ill-equipped to make a positive contribution in the workplace and our economy,” says Cymbeline Harilal, senior Instructional Designer at The Independent Institute of Education , SA’s leading private higher education provider. “For this reason, it is incumbent on industry and higher education to work together to ensure curricula remain dynamic and responsive to the rapid developments we face today. Day-to-day industry variations and expert insights can significantly benefit students, providing them with practical knowledge that extends beyond lecture rooms,” she says. Harilal says industry professionals can shape the hierarchical levels of curricula, delineating them into programme modules with focused learning outcomes. “Their support, advice and guidance are crucial in advising on prescribed materials, supplementary resources, and scaffolding-specific learning units. This includes recreating job-specific scenarios to assess students' practical skills.” Public universities and their private counterparts need to make a concerted effort to ensure their curricula reflect the real world of work at any given time to ensure their students are optimally prepared for the demands of their profession following graduation, by engaging subject matter experts. “These industry experts can assist in designing learning activities that simulate practical, on-the-job scenarios, integrating these into assessments such as quick spot tasks, projects, assignments, and evidence portfolios. Professional partnerships in the development and design of university curricula can also aid in positioning relevant teaching and learning strategies and integrating technological tools and software used in industry,” notes Harilal. “This provides students with practical skills, making their university experience a relevant end-to-end learning journey. Additionally, this collaboration can contribute insights into the professional development of students during their studies, preparing them to be knowledgeable and impactful in their roles in the industry, and incorporating sustainability and environmental considerations through effective curriculum design.” The involvement of industry professionals in monitoring, evaluating, and providing feedback for continuous improvement in closing the feedback loop is also essential for identifying and supplementing curriculum gaps. This collaboration will positively impact careers and business objectives, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the workforce. EVOLUTION OF INDUSTRY & ITS ROLE IN HIGHER EDUCATION As industries evolve, so do their talent needs, necessitating that university curricula adapt accordingly. This can be achieved by establishing a coherent feedback loop, initiated by the relevant stakeholders, wherein universities conduct needs analyses, identify industry trends, and integrate these insights into curricula tailored to specific career paths. “Industry professionals often possess extensive experience in both global and local areas which is imperative for the university curricula to prepare students for careers in both spheres. Industries can play a vital role by sharing their knowledge and merging it with university studies, thus equipping students for future roles,” says Harilal. “There is an imperative for industries to drive the integration of essential workplace skills into university curricula.” Jonas Prising, CEO of ManpowerGroup, has previously said: "Organisations have to act differently. Creating shareholder value can only be done in conjunction with taking care of employees, customers, and communities. That includes the responsibility to help people learn new skills, adapt for future jobs, and become creators of talent.” University curricula serve as a prime area for skilling and reskilling, encompassing hard and soft skills along with essential values and attitudes. “Professionals can influence university curricula, leveraging their competencies to design programmes underpinned by ethical and professional standards used in industry, thus ensuring adherence and quality as stipulated by regulatory and professional bodies such as the DHET, CHE, SAICA, and law societies,” says Harilal. “The value of professional input is crucial in shaping higher education to consider the sequencing of modules, industry relevance within programmes, clarity of instructional language, and industry-specific terminology that goes beyond textbook knowledge. It is therefore incumbent on all roleplayers to investigate and rapidly implement this best practice model, to ensure South African graduates enter the workplace confidently and, very importantly, competitively.”

ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) JSE code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the group”) VOLUNTARY TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 The board hereby advises on its expectations of the financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2024. The group reports normalised earnings per share ("NEPS") as a way of excluding the effect of one-off transactions and corporate action costs from its results. Basic NEPS and Basic headline earnings per share (“HEPS”) for the six months ended 30 June 2024 are expected to be between 13% and 18% higher than the comparative reporting period for the six months ended 30 June 2023 ("the comparative period") or between 95.3 and 99.5 cents per share as compared to 84.3 cents per share in the comparative period. Basic earnings per share ("EPS") for the six months ended 30 June 2024 is expected to be between 13% and 18% higher than the comparative period or between 95.4 and 99.6 cents per share as compared to 84.4 cents per share for the comparative period. The financial information on which this trading update is based has not been reviewed or audited by the group’s external auditors. ADvTECH expects to release results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 on the JSE’s Stock Exchange News Service on or about Monday, 26 August 2024.  14 August 2024 Johannesburg Sponsor: Bridge Capital Advisors Proprietary Limited

WHY MARKETERS NEED TO RETURN TO THE FUNDAMENTALS Decades ago, when marketing first emerged as a coined phenomenon and went on to become a major profession, the aim of the discipline was to understand consumers deeply, and use this understanding to apply effective principles and practices to create compelling messages. The model was straightforward: marketers give, consumers take. However, this simplicity couldn’t – and didn’t - endure forever. Today, as a result of social media and other online channels, the lines of communication have morphed into a multi-dimensional web, challenging traditional roles. Yet finding the right balance between the new and the old has now become crucial, as brands that go down the social media blast route – without a holistic marketing strategy – increasingly discover to their dismay, says Yathika Gowpall, Head of Programme: Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at The Independent Institute of Education , SA’s leading private higher education provider: “The rise of social media and digital platforms has transformed the marketing landscape into a complex, interactive environment. Consumers are no longer passive recipients of marketing messages; they are active participants who engage, share, and influence brand narratives. This shift requires marketers to rethink their strategies and embrace a more dynamic approach to communication,” she says. However, brands that rely solely on social media blasts often find their efforts falling flat. “Without a cohesive strategy, these messages can become noise, easily ignored by consumers who are bombarded with content daily. The lack of personalisation and engagement can lead to a disconnect between the brand and its audience, ultimately harming the brand’s reputation and effectiveness.” Gowpall says marketers must adopt a holistic approach that integrates various channels and tactics. This means understanding the unique strengths of each platform and how they can work together to create a unified brand message, all the while keeping marketing fundamentals at the forefront. She says a holistic strategy involves: · Personalisation which tailors messages to individual consumer preferences and behaviours to create more meaningful connections. · Engagement by encouraging two-way communication and fostering a community around the brand. · Consistency by maintaining a consistent brand voice and message across all channels to build trust and recognition. · Data-Driven Decisions which use data analytics to understand consumer behaviour and optimise marketing efforts. “In today’s digital age, authenticity is more important than ever,” says Gowpall. “Consumers are savvy and can easily spot insincerity. Brands that are transparent, genuine, and true to their values are more likely to build lasting relationships with their audience. Authenticity fosters trust, which is crucial for long-term success.” Finding the right balance is key to standing out and achieving sustainable success. “We have to rekindle the essence of the profession - by putting the market back into marketing. Does being in the driver's seat mean that we advocate for a blast from the past? Not at all. Rather, we need to delve deeper into the crux of marketing in a way that the market can relate to.” Gowpall says there is a cautionary tale in the recent marketing approach of an energy drink that took the country by storm. “That phenomenon today represents a prime example of how an initial gain can turn into long-term pain for a brand if marketing fundamentals are left by the wayside. “As we saw during the initial frenzy, influencer marketing had a huge impact, with people queueing for hours and paying outlandish prices to get their hands on the prize. But soon, the influencer-marketing fizzled out and the approach proved to be short-sighted, with crates of the product now standing for the most part untouched on supermarket shelves.” Conventional wisdom would have told us that just having influencers marketing a product isn’t always enough, says Gowpall. “Regardless of their fame and following, connecting with the audience in a deep and meaningful way is far more important and enduring. The countless number of TikTok videos wasn’t enough to keep the energy drink leading the market for long. “Today this once exclusive brand is available anywhere and everywhere selling at a price lower than anyone could have predicted. Few will be able to recall seeing or hearing the slightest mention of the product on social media over the last few months.” This proves that regardless of how much marketing has changed, mastering the fundamentals is the only way.  “We need to balance out the traditional with the modern approach to marketing. For the real marketers, this is a reflective conversation and we need to understand how we will go forward, navigating between what we see and what we know in a world that is constantly changing.”

The Centre for Water and the Environment at the IIE MSA, in partnership with the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa (EEIA), hosted the third annual IIE MSA Water Symposium on 4 and 5 July 2024. This year, the Symposium's theme was ‘Citizen Science - Uniting Science and Society for Sustainable Solutions’. In support of this theme and because education is key to address sustainability, The IIEMSA Centre for Water and Environment and ADvTECH jointly hosted the 'Small changes for big results' competition. The aim of the competition was to encourage students to come up with innovative and creative solutions to reduce their school’s environmental impact. No limits were imposed – as long as the focus was on sustainability. We received video and poster entries from across Africa, offering solutions to issues like food and solid waste, water scarcity and energy. The competition was open to all Prep and College students at ADvTECH schools and students could enter either as a group or as individuals. The winning entry, which focused on recycling of waste, was received from a Grade 6 student at Maragon Olympus, Albie Nel. Albie embarked on a mission to create awareness at his school about the importance of recycling and, to do this, he devised an experiment that demonstrated that placing recycling bins in strategic, highly visible places created awareness of, and interest in, recycling and led to more students recycling waste. Albie won R5000 for his entry and R25 000 for his school to implement his recycling solution. Omoshonevho Aliu from Gaborone International School, won second prize for a proposed solution to water wastage and shedding, while the third prize went to Lisa Murori from Crawford International School in Kenya, for a solution to food waste management and disposal at her school. Education is key to addressing and responding to sustainability risks, like climate change, pollution and water scarcity. With this competition, we hoped to harness the power of education by giving students in our schools the opportunity to use knowledge, creativity and future-forward thinking to come up with innovative, inventive strategies to deal with current and future risks facing our planet. The outcome has shown us that our students do, indeed, understand that ‘small change’ can make a huge impact, if consistently implemented. About the The IIE MSA’s Centre for Water and the Environment: The Centre aims to understand the nexus between water, people and the environment in southern African and focuses on advancing research and building capacity, knowledge and resilience in the field of water resources management, environmental conservation and sustainable development (in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)). The Centre hosts an annual symposium focused on topical issues affecting water and the environment which is focused on bringing researchers, practitioners and the community together to collaborate, network, learn and engage on these issues.