There is growing anxiety that COVID-19’s disruptions to education could potentially cause setbacks for life.
However, according to Sibongile Khumalo, the executive director of The Learning Trust (TLT), the NGO after-school sector has been focused on stepping up to help save the school year and keep learners engaged.
“Although usually strategically focused on delivering critical after-school programmes, they have had to pivot to drive innovative solutions to boost home-schooling opportunities, provide widespread psychosocial support, help food security initiatives, assist schools in improving water access and sanitation and even provide additional spaces for schools with overcrowded classrooms,” said Khumalo.
The PE-based NGO, Masifunde, has been innovative with a self-produced educational TV show, quaranTV, as well as quaranTimes, a biweekly newspaper, packed with life skills and academic content for preschool, primary, high school and tertiary learners.
on DStv channel 260. The topics featured are drama, music, visual arts, health (Masifunde), academics/literacy (Masinyusane) and meditation, cooking and sports (United Through Sport). QuaranTV is aired Monday to Friday at 17:30 for 30 minutes.
They are also heavily involved in providing food relief and sanitation equipment to members of the community.
