#ulwazilwethu 1430 readers in all 9 African languages with teacher materials: a vital contribution to implementing Dep. Basic Education turnaround reading strategy - especially focus on mother tongue education Zenex Foundation Stephen Taylor Mary Metcalfe

Congratulations to Zenex Foundation and the Ulwazi Lwethu developing partners Molteno Institute, Room to Read SA, Ali & Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development, on the development of over 1430 readers in 9 African languages. Insightful discussion today on the QA findings.

“The #UlwaziLwethu readers give more children access to books in their hands. They tell relevant stories and have beautiful illustrations that reflect the realities of black South African children.” Dr Xolisa Guzula from UCT

Congratulations to development team: 1430 readers in all 9 African languages #UlwaziLwethu presenting at LITASA Molteno Institute Room to Read Lauren Fok Available end Sept - Open Source Zenex Foundation

“We spend an enormous amount of money on education collectively, figures show that about R5bn is spent on education per year, and we have to closely monitor & evaluate impact, & the effectiveness of what we are doing.” – gail campbell , CEO, Zenex Foundation Stream: fb.watch/m-S3rAH3Ia/

A piece I was asked to write for Education International gail campbell SADTU National. NAPTOSA ei-ie.org/en/item/27998:…

Learning in home-language supported with quality reading resources key to addressing reading challenge in SA Dep. Basic Education NASCEE_SA Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa Right to Read Project

“Books previously written in English and then translated into African languages and those that are originally written in African languages are different.” - Dr Xolisa Guzula quoted speaking on #UlwaziLwethu reading materials in the Daily Maverick here: bit.ly/3F1BzMw

What resources are available on the #UlwaziLwethu portal? -The Ulwazi Lwethu reading materials include levelled Graded Readers, fiction and non-fiction Storybooks, collections of Big Books, Anthologies and Classroom Libraries. Access them for FREE here: ulwazilwethu.org.za

Congratulations to Adv. Thandi Orleyn, Chair of the Zenex Foundation, on her Spirit of Ubuntu Award conferred by Ubuntu Pathways. The award honours her unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of the majority of South Africans.

This report addresses key issues of support to teachers to help improve learning. Clear, Doable and Rewarding - three key words for teaching. if you don't know what they mean, then check out the new report.

Philanthropy plays a crucial role," says Gail Chat (gail campbell), CEO Zenex Foundation, at #EducationIndaba2024. She emphasizes the importance of teacher quality, particularly in early grades for literacy & numeracy, as the foundation for a strong education system. Khaya Sithole

#educationindaba Funda Wande presenting models - backed by evidence - on how to support teaching in the classroom in early grades. Can’t emphasize more the need to evaluate education initiatives to build evidence based models Zenex Foundation Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa

Indeed a privilege to honour the Minister, most importantly creating the platform for philanthropy Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa to partner with government to support education National Education Collaboration Trust Dep. Basic Education Zenex Foundation

EGRP Dep. Basic Education building evidence over 10yrs. Biggest lever is instructional coaching to improve teaching and learner outcomes. External coaching works. Can Dept Heads (DHs)play role? Need training and time-DHs also class teachers Zenex Foundation Mary Metcalfe Funda Wande

Senior Phase neglected, all focus on Grade 12. Evidence from Zenex-funded projects- Grade8&9 lose valuable teaching time at least 12 weeks per year - assessment and no schooling ‘study-time’ during matric exams Zenex Foundation Mary Metcalfe Dep. Basic Education RESEPgroup #SeniorPhaseEducation

#SeniorPhaseEducation Zenex Foundation seminar. Dr Lynn Bowie recommends review of maths curriculum Grade 8&9 e.g. patterns, content repeated. Also focus on mental maths OLICO Maths Education CASME Siyavula Nicky Roberts

#SeniorPhaseEducation Zenex Foundation seminar Prof Madoda Cekiso “every teacher is a language teacher” Teacher development programmes addressing English (LOLT) backlogs must target all teachers Room to Read Dep. Basic Education National Education Collaboration Trust JET Education Services

#SeniorPhaseEducation Zenex Foundation is mother-tongue bilingual education the ‘magic bullet’ ? Not as simple. Prof Feza University of Venda maths research: Foundation Phase - Grade 1 learners can count to 30’s in English, yet not proficient in counting in mother-tongue. Implications?

New article out on structured pedagogy with Peggy Dubeck. Good timing for #LiteracyDay