Build Early Learning in Makana, South Africa

PROGRESS REPORT ON MAKANA EARLY EDUCATION PROJECT (MEEP)

17 February 2025

1)    Africa A+ Schools (A+) remains determined to service this project as the need is great. The Thrive by Five report of 2024 indicated that South Africa’s youngest children are not thriving and that we need to put in place quality teaching and learning. Eastern Cape is one of the country’s poorest provinces and struggles to maintain decent standards, particularly in rural towns such as Riebeek East and Alicedale.

2)    A+ is reaching the end of a 5-year training programme in the Kouga district of Eastern Cape in August 2025. This programme was highly successful and we have no doubt that it can be replicated elsewhere.

3)    The response to the drive on Giving Tuesday, 3 December 2024, was disappointing. The amount raised was not nearly enough to launch the project.

4)    The launch date for MEEP has been postponed from July 2025 to January 2026.

5)    MOUs are in place for five of the six schools that are planned to be included in the project. Six is the total number of preschools and primary schools in Riebeek East and Alicedale. There may be potential to add a few nearby farm preschools as well.

6)    A+ is currently seeking funding from other sources and an updated proposal has been submitted. We await responses.

7)    We at A+ remain optimistic that MEEP will attract the support that it deserves.

• PROGRESS_REPORT_ON_MAKANA_EARLY_EDUCATION_PROJECT.pdf (PDF)