Introduction
In 2009, Funda Afrika enhanced its School Transformation & Empowerment Partnership Programmes (STEP) by incorporating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) into learning to modernize lesson delivery and improve learner understanding. From 2010 to 2015, Funda Afrika collaborated with the Peermont School Support Programme (PSSP), a five-year school upliftment initiative. This partnership aimed to improve teaching and learning from the Foundation phase up to High School, with the overarching goal of transforming beneficiary schools into institutions of excellence through the strategic use of ICT. As part of this effort, Funda Afrika also partnered with major corporates, such as Resolve, which provided guidance to schools on sharing expertise to ensure efficient operation. The PSSP program involved 14 primary schools and 7 high schools, deliberately incorporating both former Model C and Township schools, all of which received similar donated resources.Funda Afrika was at the forefront of rolling out iPads for classroom use and Cami-labs to build a strong foundation in numeracy and literacy for learners, aiming to bring them on par with students from other well-resourced schools. Following the PSSP initiative, Funda Afrika replicated this successful ICT in schools initiative from 2016 to 2018 in its STEP-Mercedes Benz supported program. In this subsequent effort, Funda Afrika donated and distributed Compujectors to schools in East London (Buffalo City) and across Gauteng (specifically in Tshwane West and South).
Post COVID Strategy
After the COVID 19 lockdown, a report from the University of Pretoria outlined that 81% of Grade 4 learners were struggling to read for understanding. Confirmation from the Department of Basic Education prompted Funda Afrika to shift its strategy from predominantly High School Math, Science, Accounting and English support to intensify its efforts to improve literacy and numeracy from Foundation phase up to intermediate phase. A baseline survey was conducted to explore intervention remedies to be implemented instantly. These included early screening and remedial support for struggling learners, introduction of playbased learning, inquiry-Based Learning, Reggio Emilia Approach, Multi-Sensory Learning, Scaffolding and teacher capacity building training support.- Introduction of differentiated instruction learning methodology
- Introduction of hybrid (classroom based & online) support
- Introduction of continuous assessment progress tracking & checklists
- Introduction of visual instruction through videos, songs and character booklets to promote familiar content recount
Initiatives
Teacher Training
Literacy Support
Numeracy Support
Olympiads
Balanathi
School Donations
Dlalanathi
Teacher Training
Funda Afrika introduced the Informal ECD Teachers training programme to ensure that the instructors guiding young learners possess a professional aptitude. This SETA Accredited programme was designed to empower Tutors from rural and township communities. The training focused on providing essential instruction strategies and techniques for Early Childhood Development (ECD), along with content development and interpretation skills. Upon successful completion, the participants receive an NQF Level 4 Qualification.
This strategic initiative guaranteed that more qualified ECD Tutors were assigned to township communities. Consequently, this enabled the first steps towards a significant reduction in the foundation phase incapacity to read for understanding. By professionalizing the teaching staff at the earliest learning levels, Funda Afrika aimed to establish a stronger educational groundwork for young children.
Despite the success of this programme in improving ECD instruction, more still needs to be done. Funda Afrika continues to actively reach out to corporate partners to collaborate in this essential endeavor. This ongoing focus on partnerships is crucial because, historically, the main emphasis of support has often been placed on High School Matric learner programmes, and continued funding is needed to expand and sustain the vital work being done at the early childhood development level.
This strategic initiative guaranteed that more qualified ECD Tutors were assigned to township communities. Consequently, this enabled the first steps towards a significant reduction in the foundation phase incapacity to read for understanding. By professionalizing the teaching staff at the earliest learning levels, Funda Afrika aimed to establish a stronger educational groundwork for young children.
Despite the success of this programme in improving ECD instruction, more still needs to be done. Funda Afrika continues to actively reach out to corporate partners to collaborate in this essential endeavor. This ongoing focus on partnerships is crucial because, historically, the main emphasis of support has often been placed on High School Matric learner programmes, and continued funding is needed to expand and sustain the vital work being done at the early childhood development level.
Literacy Support
Funda Afrika initiated the implementation of the Department of Basic Education’s Reading Policy and rolled out new techniques in the 17 Primary Schools it supports in the Eastern Cape and in Gauteng (Tshwane West and South). Reading material was developed which included character books and gaming pamphlets for quizzes. The focus was primarily on:
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Phonics Awareness in which learners learnt:
- Rhyming words
- Clapping syllables
- Whooshing Sounds blending (c-a-t → cat)
- Initial and ending sound identification
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Storytelling & Oral Language Development
- Developing imagination/telling simple stories.
- Funda Afrika introduced playdough, threading, cutting, colouring, and pegboard activities.
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Remedial differentiated instruction for struggling learners
Learners were segmented into groups according to their reading proficiency and helped gradually with extra coping mechanisms from Funda Afrika developed material.
- Lowe Primary School
- Marematlou
- Tokyo Sexwhale
- Bodubelo
- Kgabo
- Matseke
- Patogang
- AW Barnes
- Gcobani
- Inyathi
- Mbulelo
- Mzimkhulu
- Nkululeko
- Phumelelani
- Tom Panyana
- Siyavuya
- Vulumz
Numeracy Support
The Math intervention was implemented in the 17 STEP Primary schools. The
Primary focus was on:
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Number Sequences
- Learners were introduced to counting in sequences (objects, steps, children, snacks, calendar days).
- Tutors introduced the use of number songs (1–10, 1–20 & skip counting).
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Hands-On Manipulatives
- Learners made use of counters, bottle tops, blocks, stones, sticks.
- They were instructed to sort, classify, compare, group, and sequence.
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Number Sense through Play
- Learners were introduced to number puzzles, matching cards, dice games such as “Shop play” with pretend money.
- Learners also engaged in Measuring play (cups, spoons, sand).
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Patterns and Shapes
- Learners created patterns with beads, sticks, colours (AB, AAB, ABC).
- They were mentored to identify and draw shapes in the environment.
Olympiads
Spelling Bee
Funda Afrika introduced learner assessment through Olympiad contests. Learners were invited to Spelling Bee contests in which medals and a floating trophy were introduced.Math Champs
Eastern Cape learners participated in the Maths Champs competition that were a part of the Olympiad segments. Learners were grouped and asked on number sequencing, addition and stories’ problem-solving quizzes.Reading Champs
Eloquence and progress in reading was assessed through the Reading Champs contests that were also a segment of the Olympiad contests. Learners were given extracts from the Funda Afrika reading materials.
Balanathi
Funda Afrika introduced the Balanathi reading corners to promote reading for understanding amongst foundation phase learners. Books developed by Funda Afrika and extra reading material were donated to schools in partnership with Nalibali.
School Donations
Funda Afrika donated books, compujectors, iPads, printers, school uniforms and shoes, groceries, chairs, trophies and learner assessment material to schools in the Eastern Cape and in Gauteng. Collaborations with corporates ensured that learners are supported through Funda Afrika ’s Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP) , Winter Drive, Groceries-Shoes & School uniform drive, School ICT Support Drive and Dlalanathi tournaments.
Dlalanathi
Funda Afrika introduced the Dlalanathi tournament initiative and partnered with community sporting academies to promote netball and chess. Primary School learners heaved off the pressure of studying through the extra-curricular activities. A floating trophy was introduced which is handed over to the successive winner of the games but learners walked away with medals.
