THE LEARNING TRUST

EMPOWERING LEARNERS, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES

In South Africa, education outcomes have long been a focal point, and After School Programmes (ASPs) have emerged as key contributors to bridging the gaps across various levels of education.

Earlier this year, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga hailed the 2023 matric pass rate of 82.9%, as 'extraordinary'. Yet, many learners who began school in 2012 never reached matric. 40% disappeared from the system, suggesting that the actual pass rate is around 55%.

Research indicates that due to challenges faced by quintile 1 to 3 schools, it takes a South African child, on average 15 years to complete matric. These challenges include overcrowded classrooms, and the lack of learners’ foundational knowledge.

The international benchmark, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that 81% of learners in grade 4 cannot read for meaning.

Learners aren’t keeping up with the school curriculum, and teachers don’t have the capacity to provide the necessary individual attention. The result is low performance and increased dropout rates.

ASPs are beacons of hope for learners, parents, and schools. They serve learners in under-resourced schools, during the after-school time and on weekends. While they can't solve educational challenges overnight, they play a crucial role in providing learners with the foundational skills they need to thrive both academically and personally.

The Learning Trust (TLT) has been developing the after-school sector in South Africa for over a decade, providing funds and capacity support to hundreds of ASPs nationwide, offering a diverse array of extended learning programmes, ranging from academic support to sports and recreational activities.

In 2021, in partnership with Allan Gray Philanthropy South Africa (AGGPSA) and Tutuwa Foundation, the Catch-up Coalition was launched. This coalition involves 50 implementing partners across the country and includes impressive organisations driving outcomes through innovation. One example is Lefa Cooperative Ltd, a social enterprise that uses the Telegram app to provide virtual tutoring to high school learners. Programme ambassadors and activators visit schools to raise awareness and help learners sign up, and tutors provide remote support.

Successful ASPs benefit from strong partnerships with local schools. Having the school buy-in, increases the ability of ASPs to supplement what is being done in the school time. Working together helps integrate social-emotional learning, life skills development to offer a more holistic approach to education.

Masinyusane Development, an ASP based in Gqeberha, emphasises the importance of teacher involvement. They advocate for empathy, understanding, and flexibility in navigating challenges together.

Importantly, Masinyusane’s approach is to support educators and schools rather than to compete with them. Their model helps assess learner’s literacy levels and offers ASPs to build literacy from there. The schools’ benefit from increased learner competencies and more proactive and engaged learners. Teachers are then able to move through the curriculum at pace.

The Department of Education (DoE) could do far more to

recognise the key role ASPs play in supplementing traditional education. With departmental support at all levels, schools would be more likely to embrace ASPs and develop meaningful partnerships to serve their learners with vital extra support.

RAISING THE GAME…

The learning trust is developing south africa’s extended learning sector through the provision of funding and guided organisational support to after school programmes that work to improve educational outcomes of young people living in poverty and exclusion.

Schools and ASPs have the same objectives: to develop learners into productive, happy citizens. While schools often see the value of ASPs, there needs to be more commitment from the DoE to recognise and enable schools to partner with ASPs in their provinces, districts, and circuits.

The Learning Trust will continue to support ASPs who empower learners, bridge educational gaps, and unlock the potential of South Africa's future leaders. Now, more than ever, we need government partnerships to empower schools and communities in utilising ASPs for improved learner outcomes.

CONTACT DETAIL

Tel: 021 709 0420

Website: www.thelearningtrust.org

Email: info@thelearningtrust.org

Address: 173 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196