Introduction
Zenex Foundation is part of a donor collaboration developing and implementing a large-scale systemic programme to support improvements in literacy and numeracy in Grades 1–3. The partnership brings the benefit of coordinated efforts, dealing with complexity in a persistently underperforming area of delivery, leveraging resources, while minimising a ‘siloed’ approach to similar educational challenges. Moreover, this joint effort secures the participation of the key implementing partner, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in the collaboration.
Overview
The initiative, known as ‘FLOAT’, brings together support from international and local donors (Gates Foundation, Maitri Trust, UNICEF, LEGO Foundation, This Day Foundation, Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, Epoch and Optima Trust, Standard Bank Tutuwa Foundation, Kagiso Trust, and FEM Education Foundation). Based on a shared understanding and strategy for foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), and a commitment to embed the results through government, FLOAT funds evidence-based approaches to produce measurable and sustainable improvement in the percentage of literate and numerate learners at the end of Grade 3. This Project, based in Gauteng, the Free State and the Eastern Cape, varies according to the context of each province, and runs from 2025 to 2027, with the possibility of a two-year extension to ensure full government integration. Working through a joint steering committee, the initiative embraces a common vision and operating principles, as well as agreed financial accountability mechanisms.
Objectives
The primary aims of the initiative are to:
- Support the implementation of effective evidence-based literacy and numeracy initiatives with a view to becoming embedded within the government structures and systems;
- Build the capacity of the education departments to lead, manage, monitor and scale initiatives that are part of their strategy.
FLOAT’s objective is for the donor collaborative to work within the education sector by engaging stakeholders and pooling resources and creative input to bring new initiatives that enhance foundational literacy and numeracy (Grade R to 3). The primary focus is on teachers, school management, and district officials, concentrating on teacher training, in-class support, and learning and teaching support materials.
Outcomes
- Learners better understand what they are taught and reach their learning goals;
- Teachers are better equipped through having access to quality integrated learning materials;
- Teachers, through training and in-class mentorship, feel confident and supported to deliver better FLN;
- Donors see the benefits of working collaboratively within the education sector;
- School managers and district officials are better positioned to manage and monitor programmes;
- FLN is integrated into DBE’s strategic plan for improved learning outcomes;
- Donors see the benefits of working collaboratively within the education sector.
Conclusion
This Project aligns with Zenex’s strategy to work more collaboratively in multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve improved education outcomes, ultimately aiming to work more systemically at scale. The FLN collaboration enables organisations to leverage their unique expertise, resources and networks of partners, taking the work of foundational literacy and numeracy to new levels of co-design and implementation.