Sizwe Nxasana earns doctorate in project-based learning, advancing education reform in South Africa

After three years of full-time research, Dr Nxasana successfully defended his doctoral thesis, titled “Navigating Teacher Learning in a Context of Implementing Project-Based Learning in South African K12 Education.” The comprehensive process included the publication of three academic papers and culminated in a rigorous defence before an international panel of experts.

In her closing remarks, the chair of the PhD assessment committee, Professor Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld of Aalborg University, praised the thesis as “well-written and clearly articulated,” stating:

“Nxasana’s work makes a valuable contribution to existing literature – particularly regarding the experiences, possibilities and challenges associated with the adoption of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in a South African context. It introduces methodological innovations like systems thinking and Q methodology within a design-based research framework and offers practical tools to support systemic educational transformation. He defended his work insightfully and showed that he is ready to be part of the scholarly community advancing PBL globally. Nxasana’s work, in an extraordinary way, bridges education research, systemic education innovation and transformation at a national scale.”

Reflecting on his achievement, Dr Nxasana shared:

“This doctorate is not just a personal milestone, but a step forward for the future of education in South Africa. If we want to change outcomes for learners, we must change how we support and empower teachers. Project-Based Learning is not just a teaching method – it’s a movement. One that helps focus on developing skills and competencies of our learners and young people to realise their full potential in life. It helps us build schools that are relevant, inclusive and rooted in addressing the challenges we face in South Africa and the rest of the continent.”

The Power of PBL in Shaping the Future

PBL is a dynamic teaching methodology that empowers students to learn through hands-on, real-world projects. It builds essential 21st-century skills – critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity – making learning more engaging and impactful.

As the South African Department of Basic Education embarks on curriculum strengthening, Dr Nxasana’s research offers actionable solutions for professional teacher development that go beyond traditional workshops and top-down training. His approach supports schools and policymakers in designing reflective, contextualised and collaborative professional development programmes that work.

Future Nation Schools – Pioneers in PBL

Founded in 2017 by Dr Nxasana and Dr Judy Dlamini, Sifiso Learning Group’s Future Nation Schools (FNS) has led the charge in implementing PBL across its campuses in Fleurhof and Lyndhurst. Offering education from pre-school through to Grade 12, FNS combines PBL with an Afrocentric, tech-driven curriculum that includes coding, robotics and digital fluency.

With a 100% matric pass rate and a track record of distinction-level results, FNS has proven that PBL not only enriches learning but also drives academic excellence.

“We’ve shown that an Africa-focused, inquiry-led approach isn’t just possible – it’s powerful,” says the CEO of FNS, Nkanyezi Makhari. “Dr Nxasana’s academic leadership now adds even more depth to our mission.”

Leadership in Action: Taking PBL Global

Beyond the school environment, Future Nation College – the teacher training arm of Sifiso Learning Group – is actively equipping in-service educators with the tools, skills and mindsets needed to implement PBL effectively in diverse classrooms across South Africa. This educator development work builds directly on the findings of Dr Nxasana’s research and is helping to shape a new generation of PBL-competent, technologically enabled teachers.

Next week, Dr Nxasana will lead a delegation of the Department of Basic Education’s 2024 National Teaching Award winners to Denmark, in collaboration with the FirstRand Foundation. The visit aims to expose South African public school teachers to global best practices in PBL through direct engagement with the UNESCO PBL Centre and its academic networks. This initiative further demonstrates his commitment to systemic change through collaboration, innovation and teacher empowerment.

FNS to Lead at 10th International PBL Symposium

Future Nation Schools will further showcase its leadership this November at the 10th International Research Symposium on Project-Based Learning taking place at Future Nation Schools and the University of Pretoria, where it will lead the K12 (preschool to grade 12) track – the first of its kind at the global event. The showcase will highlight PBL innovations from early childhood education to matric, grounded in FNS’s eight years of implementation and Dr Nxasana’s cutting-edge research.

This moment marks not only a personal milestone for Dr Nxasana, but a renewed call to action for education reform rooted in innovation, empowerment and African excellence.

About Sifiso Learning Group (SLG)

Founded in 2017 by Sizwe Nxasana and Dr Judy Dlamini, Sifiso Learning Group (SLG) is a private education group dedicated to the development of an African-centred education ecosystem. Through its business units – Future Nation Schools, Future Nation College and Sifiso EdTech – SLG creates and develops innovative content, tools and learning environments to empower all stakeholders within this ecosystem.

SLG’s approach places a strong emphasis on early childhood development, foundational education and the integration of 21st-century skills, ensuring learners and educators are equipped for success in a rapidly evolving world. By combining Afrocentric values with cutting-edge practices, SLG continues to inspire and shape the future of education in Africa.

About Dr Sizwe Nxasana

Dr. Nxasana is a prominent South African business leader and education reformer. He is the founder of Future Nation Schools and Sifiso Learning Group and previously served as CEO of FirstRand and Telkom SA. He also played a critical role in turning around the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and is the founding chairperson of the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT). His doctoral work in PBL cements his position as a leading voice in education transformation across the continent.