iThemba Schools
THE FIRST FIVE YEARS MATTER
Prioristing Early Childhood Development (ECD)
In South Africa, around 82% of Grade 4 learners in the country struggle to read for meaning in any language. By the end of Grade 1, about 60% of learners are unable to recite the alphabet and, by the end of Grade 2, more than 30% still struggle.
Early Childhood Development plays a crucial role in nurturing a love for reading and teaching basic literacy skills. In effect, it’s the foundation upon which a child’s entire future is built.
The foundation to building the next generation of citizens who contribute economically and socially to this great nation is Early Childhood Development.
Minister Enoch Godongwana, 2025 budget speech
With insights into South Africa’s literacy and language competency levels revealing an alarming reality, it is evident that there is a place and critical function for Early Childhood Development in the education system. The Department of Education’s 2030 strategy for ECD is to provide equitable access for all children to receive quality early learning foundation. With this being an area that we value and prioritise, we believe our involvement will contribute towards this shared goal.
iTHEMBA SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
The iThemba Schools Programme supports the significance of Early Childhood Development and providing childgren in underserved communities with the opportunity to benefit from quality learning. Through the work of our Operator and Partner Pre-Schools, we are facilitating elevated educare to children from birth to five years. Our aim is to provide these children with a safe learning environment that stimulates, nurtures, and inspires their minds, and ultimately, establish a foundation for life-long learning.
OPERATOR PRE-SCHOOLS
Focus on iThemba retains full control over the iThemba School, whereby it owns the assets, land or property.
The Operator is responsible for the day-to-day operations and acts as the operational owner/Principal of the business.
Focus on iThemba provides financial oversight and administrative support to the Operator.
Vested interest: the Operator shall be entitled to an ownership share of the profits generated by the Business, as determined by mutual agreeement.
Dedicated principals and teachers – Focus on iThemba assists with HR systems and processes.
Compliant and registered with the Department of Education.
PARTNER PRE-SCHOOLS
Elevate the standard of ECD being offered to children in established community-based Pre-Schools by working alongside them.
Focus on empowering women to lead and operate successful businesses – we have no involvement in the operations or governance of the school. Our support is purely partnership based.
Structure supports Enterprise Development (ED) Scorecards.
Our full-time ECD Monitor adds value by providing mentorship, guidance and oversight to principals and teachers.
On-going teacher training is prioritized and made possible through donor funding.
KNOWING THE VALUE
Five Reasons Why ECD Is Important
- First 2000 days of a child's life are the most formative for the human brain - brains are built not born.
- Brain development is vital in determining a child's learning speed and capacity.
- Children who recieve sufficient ECD better learn and retian foundational skills and knowledge to help them succeed in the future.
- Investment in Early Childhood Development lays the foundation for a prosperous and sustanable society.
- ECD builds the intellectual, physical and emotional scaffold for all future investments in human capital.
