The KICP Initial Teacher Education (ITE) model of pre-service teacher education formally launched in 2007. Student teachers in the programme pursue ITE qualifications through Open Distance Learning (ODL) while being placed as full-time student teacher interns in schools. The aim of the programme is to produce skilled and professionally competent educators to address challenges facing the education sector in South Africa.

An important factor in the ITE programme is mentoring, which is provided by school-based and project mentors. Student teachers are assigned to a school-based mentor in their host school and have the opportunity to observe and experience good quality teaching, planning, co-teaching, and leading. These school-based mentors monitor and assist student teachers in school-based responsibilities. Further mentoring is provided by ITE project mentors, who offer holistic support and professional develeopment through at least one school visit per fortnight. ITE academic mentors also meet with student teacher once a week for professional development, blended learning training, subject-specific tutorials, and assignment support.

The ITE teacher internship programme works toward the recruitment, selection, development and retention of a new pool of high-quality teachers able to teach in blended teaching environments to grow the profession in South African schools. The ITE programme seeks to create exceptional student teachers who have the skills to teach in varied classroom settings and to refine their knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to write a new education narrative in South Africa. 

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. 
Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family."
Kofi Anan