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 – 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 […]
Cape Talk Interview: The care economy is predominantly women-led. We should value their work.

The care economy is predominantly women-led. Why don’t we value their work in the same way we value male-dominated sectors? Clarence Ford speaks to Kentse Radebe, DGMT Innovation Director. Listen to the full interview below.
DGMT welcomes Western Cape High Court ruling to uphold Collaboration Schools

DGMT welcomes the High Court’s decision to uphold the introduction of Collaboration Schools in the Western Cape as a means of improving learner outcomes at no-fee schools. The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and Equal Education (EE) took the Western Cape government to court in 2019 to challenge a new provincial law that made […]
Learning Brief: Strengthening Links in the Learning Chain: The Value of Accelerated Learning Programmes

In South Africa, poor reading proficiency in schools has been compounded by pandemic-era learning losses. Accelerated Learning Programmes (ALPs), in various forms, can help address this deficit because they are designed to support children who are constantly falling behind. This learning brief explores how ALPs can help fill the gaps in our schooling system.
Leaving no child behind: The road to Zero School Dropout – Interview Series #3

Today we feature the last of our interviews with our partners working with us in the Zero School Dropout Initiative. In previous weeks we talked to Bottom-Up, Khula Development Group, Community Action Partnership and SAILI. These interviews can be read here and here. We end off the series by talking to Tabisa Bata of Masibumbane Development Organisation and Zeni […]
Leaving no child behind: The road to Zero School Dropout – Interview Series #2

Last month we introduced the Zero School Dropout Initiative and featured the first two of our trailblazers. Today we continue our series by hearing from two more of our partners, Ilze Olivier of Community Action Partnership and Jennie Rist of SAILI. Ilze Olivier – Community Action Partnership What motivates you to work in this space? There is personal […]
Leaving no child behind: The road to Zero School Dropout – Interview Series #1

Last week we introduced the Zero School Dropout Initiative and explored the magnitude of the issue. We continue our series by hearing from two of our six partners. First up is Ashley Visagie of Bottomup and Daleen Labuschagne of the Khula Development Group. Ashley Visagie – Bottomup What motivates you to work in this space? Half our […]
Leaving no child behind: The road to Zero School Dropout

The matric results represent a proud moment for many schools – an indication of education quality and success, but it is not the full story. The reality is that about half of any cohort of learners have left school without having written the matric exam.[1] Grades 10 and 11 in particular experience high rates of grade […]