Thuto Trust, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Rural Education Directorate and the Limpopo Department of Education (LDoE), is implementing an innovative Hub for Pre-Service Teacher Internship in Limpopo Province. This initiative strengthens teacher education through the Extended Student Teacher Internship (ESTI) model, which complements the UNISA B.Ed. Degree (Foundation and Intermediate Phases) with full-time, school-based training in rural primary schools.
As the Implementing Partner, Thuto Trust provides daily mentorship, training, and supervision for in-service teachers and student interns throughout their academic journey. The Internship Hub will support up to 1 080 in-service teachers and student interns from across Limpopo, with a strong focus on practical training in Inclusive Education.
Thuto Trust is seeking to appoint qualified and passionate School / Educational Psychologists to join our team. The successful candidates will play a vital role in supporting in-service teachers’ and student interns’ academic, professional, and personal development.
A. Key Responsibilities
The principal focus of this role is to support the mental health and wellbeing of learners, in-service teachers, and student interns, and to assist in addressing behavioural challenges within the school environment.
- Train mentors, in-service teachers, and student interns in creating safe, accepting environments where learners feel comfortable expressing their needs.
- Stay current with school and district policies, applicable South African legislation, and the information-sharing and confidentiality requirements of families.
- Communicate effectively with in-service teachers, student interns, school staff, district administrators, and caregivers to meet learners’ mental and emotional health needs.
- Maintain HPCSA-compliant records of privileged health information involving minors.
- Apply evidence-based diagnostic and treatment protocols in line with HPCSA licensing standards.
- Conduct psychoeducational assessments to evaluate learners’ academic and psychological development.
- Conduct workshops and seminars for onsite mentors and student interns from diverse backgrounds.
- Travel, sometimes at short notice, to schools across the province and respond to emergencies outside of regular school hours.
B. Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, or equivalent.
- Honours Degree in Psychology.
- Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology (MEd Psych), approved by the HPCSA.
- Successful completion of a 12-month full-time internship at an institution approved by the Professional Board for Psychology.
C. Professional Registration
- Current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Educational Psychologist, including successful completion of the National Professional Board for Psychology examination.
D. Other Requirements
- Proficiency in MS Office.
- Sound working knowledge of relevant legislation and policy, including White Paper 6, the National Curriculum Statement, and the South African Schools Act.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport.
- Compassion for the needs of children, including those with behavioural challenges or a history of trauma.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to maintain records that may be used as legal documents or for other official purposes.
E. Location Requirement
Applicants must reside in one of the following Limpopo education districts:
- Capricorn North
- Capricorn South
