In a bold move to strengthen technical education and dispel lingering myths about the capabilities of its graduates, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has continued to expand its innovative Practical Assessment Task (PAT) Project, aimed at supporting high school learners and developing future-ready teachers.
Launched in 2023 and implemented in 2024, the project was initiated by Mr Siphesihle Mthethwa, a passionate lecturer in Electrical Technology. He partnered with Dr Sotsaka and Mr Mlambo, both Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) lecturers, to tackle long-standing concerns in the education sector—namely, that DUT’s technical education graduates lack practical competence.
The PAT Project directly engages Grade 12 learners in public high schools, aligning with the Department of Basic Education’s prescribed PAT curriculum. Initially focused on Electrical Technology and EGD, the programme expanded in 2025 to include Civil and Mechanical Technology, showing strong growth and impact across technical disciplines.
Using a Design Thinking approach, the DUT team first identifies schools that need support and works closely with them to design tailored interventions. Pre-service teachers in their third year of study in DUT’s School of Education are then assigned to help implement these interventions, using Project-Based Learning as the main pedagogical tool. This not only prepares the pre-service teachers for the realities of the classroom but also exposes them to the often-untouched Grade 12 curriculum—especially the practical components.
One of the project’s key highlights this year was the Electrical Technology Practical Task event, hosted on 29–30 May 2025, which brought Grade 12 learners from Zibukezulu Technical High School to DUT PMB Campus. Over two days, the learners completed a complex 3-phase automatic star-delta motor starter with timer task, a core part of their curriculum. Due to the class size of 46 learners, the group was split over two days to ensure maximum hands-on participation.
“This experience is a game-changer for our learners,” said a teacher from Zibukezulu High School. “We don’t have the equipment or time to properly conduct PATs. This project has not only taken that burden off my shoulders but also given our learners a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step onto a university campus and access real resources.”
The initiative has grown in scale and reputation. While it started with one school, a second school joined in 2025, and the project now caters to multiple technical streams. It has also collaborated with DUT’s STEM project to assist Grade 10 learners by focusing on PAT-related content at earlier stages of learning.
The project has received significant support and recognition. In 2024, it was awarded R150,000 through DUT’s CELT DT and PBL Call, and also earned a R3,000 runner-up prize from the DUT Engagement Showcasing and Pitching Awards. In 2025, the programme secured an additional R300,000 from CELT, allowing it to split into two dedicated teams: one focusing on EGD and Electrical Technology, and the other on Civil and Mechanical Technology—each receiving R150,000 in funding.
Beyond the funding, the real value of the PAT Project lies in its transformational impact on teacher development and school support. It not only equips DUT students with real-world teaching experience but also uplifts local schools by addressing equipment shortages, capacity gaps, and time constraints.
There are also plans to develop research outputs from the programme, using data collected from school engagements and student performance. “This project is not about chasing money,” Mr Mthethwa explained. “It’s about empowering our pre-service teachers and making a real difference in the schools we serve.”
As the project continues to grow, it is fast becoming a national model for community-engaged learning, curriculum relevance, and technical education excellence—a testament to DUT’s mission to lead through innovation, impact, and inclusivity.
Pictured: Pre-service teacher (Lungelo Maphumulo) guiding a group of learners to do an Automatic Star Delta connection with timer, prescribed in the DBE PAT.
Phumeza Msongelwa
