Hands-on Learning Issue 25

Through the newly rebranded edition of our Hands-on Learning publication developed in June 2023, we hope to play a helpful role in synthesising information from innovators and implementers in civil society, supporting them to share what they have learnt so that others are able to draw from and build on their experiences. Blended learning: When […]

Learning Brief – Social Employment Fund partnership: Partnering to bring the SEF to communities across South Africa

This learning brief explores some of the lessons learnt from the first phase of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), a state-funded stimulus package for civil society organisations that work on a range of community development projects – referred to as Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs). By design, the SEF encourages partnerships among the different Strategic Implementing […]

Learning Brief – Blended learning: When partnerships spark innovation

This learning brief explores how partnerships between government, civil society and communities led to innovations aimed at tackling a number of challenges impacting quintile 1–3 schools in South Africa, serving some of the country’s poorest children. To read this learning brief, download a PDF here or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.       […]

Schools must allow parents’ voices to be heard to ensure quality education

In Ganyesa, a small village outside of Vryburg in the North West, Mme Mashego*, an enthusiastic mother to a grade 6 learner, takes pride in going to her son’s school a week before assessments start to encourage learners to study and try their best at school. While Mme Mashego did not finish school, she wants […]

Basic Education Employment Initiative is scoring points on youth employment – don’t pull the funding plug

With just under half of young South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 without any learning or earning opportunities, interventions addressing this crisis are often caught between expanding reach and achieving real impact. The Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) is a case in point. Born out of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the BEEI was launched at the end of […]

SmileFM Interview: Western Cape High Court ruling upholding Collaboration Schools

David Harrison, CEO of the DG Murray Trust, together with Anthony Hall, Project Lead of Public School Partnerships spoke to SmileFM – elaborating on the implications of the recent Western Cape High Court ruling on the introduction of collaboration schools model to no-fee schools across the Western Cape. Read more here, and listen to the […]