Alison Bengtson-Mali - Vice Chair

Alison Bengtson-Mali was born in Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal. She completed her high school and her B.Sc (1988) in the same province.

After completion of her studies, she moved to Gauteng, taking up a post as a Mathematics educator at Fred Norman Secondary in Ennerdale. She taught there until June 1997. In 1993 she was appointed as Head of the Mathematics Department.

In 1992 she successfully completed her Higher Education Diploma. In 1995 she completed her Bachelor of Education Degree; in 1999 she did a Masters Diploma in Human Resource Management and in 2004 successfully completed her LLB.

In June 1997, she was appointed into the post of Deputy Chief Education Specialist (coordinator) for the Mathematical Literacy, Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences Learning Area. She also served as Co-coordinator for the Foundation Phase. Her duty in these posts was the development of learning materials for both the Mathematics area and the Foundation Phase Educators. She also had to train and develop educators in both fields.

Because of her strengths in leadership and management, she was identified to be seconded to the Education Training and Provisioning Unit and appointed a District Education Coordinator in 2000. As a DEC, she coordinated the activities of the unit. She had to manage the human and material resources at both primary and secondary schools and a cluster allocated to her. She established mechanisms, procedures and processes to promote stakeholder participation through Representative Structures.

In June 2001, she was appointed as Chief Education Specialist for Curriculum Delivery and Support. The Directorate dealt with ensuring teacher development and that teaching and learning took place in all schools. This directorate also housed the IDSO's who are the mangers of the schools. The In 2002, the Directorate was split into two, with the Curriculum Directorate being separated from the IDSO Directorate. Alison heads the IDSO Directorate. This Directorate is also responsible for Education Support Services and Learner Teacher Support Material.

Alison is currently serving as Deputy President of EMASA. She is a member of the Provincial Team for the Reorganisation of Schools. She has also been a trustee for the Business Womens Association.