Edu-Peg
Sactwu Edupeg Literacy and Numeracy Project “Empowered teachers create empowered learners”
A good basic education from an early age is one of the best tools to enhance environmental awareness and literacy. In rural Africa, schools are often poorly equipped to support students and teachers, greatly hindering the education systems. The Edupeg program, launched in 1994, is a direct response to this situation, and produces outstanding results in both literacy and numeracy. The program supports both learners and teachers to overcome the three main factors inhibiting education in South Africa: lack of educators, relative lack of educator training and expertise, and lack of funding. The WILD Foundation partners with Edupeg to support schools in our Zulu Village Project and in Botswana.
Edupeg is unique in that is in an indigenous program, devised by South African teachers, and therefore the content is applicable to national education system standards. Edupeg is available in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Pedi, Sotho and Zulu, and applies directly to rural villages where only indigenous languages are spoken.
The positive impact of the WILD – Edupeg partnership is growing! In Kwa-Zulu Natal, six schools operate with 2,185 learners and 59 educators. In Botswana, eleven schools operate with 5,241 learners and 174 educators. Literacy and numeracy rates are increasing, empowering both educators and learners! However, there is still a great need – many of the schools do not have adequate classroom space, supplies or running water; and learners, educators and communities are heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and by economic and political instability.
