Catch-up Coalition
Accelerating Learning Recovery
The Catch-up Coalition is a collective effort to drive systemic change in South Africa’s education landscape.
By bringing together over 50 non-profit After-School Programmes, we aim to address learning backlogs and improve educational outcomes for children most impacted by school closures and rotational timetables while also tackling youth unemployment.
Our Ecosystem Approach to Learning Recovery
Through cross-sectoral collaboration, the Catch-up Coalition leverages the strengths of the After School sector — organisational infrastructure, programmatic flexibility, driven leadership, and employment capacity — to support accelerated learning recovery at scale.
Building After-School Programme Capacity
Providing developmental support and coordinating the delivery of catch-up interventions.
Leveraging Employment Stimulus
Creating stipend-based work opportunities for youth and the unemployed through public employment funding.
Measuring Learning and Employment Outcomes
Building Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) capacity, coordinating data collection, and conducting centralized analysis and reporting.
Mapping After School Programme Funding
Conducting a national audit to map After School Programmes and identify funding sources within the sector.
Research & Advocacy
Commissioning research to evaluate impact and advocate for extended employment initiatives.
Scaling Effective Practices
Identifying and implementing scalable interventions in partnership with After School Programmes in local schools.
Key Projects Driving Learning Recovery
Social Employment Fund (SEF)
Our flagship project, funded by the Industrial Development Corporation, has created over 10,000 paid service opportunities to date and is in its third round.
Early Grade Learning Project (EGLP)
Testing innovative assessment tools (EGMA, eQuiz, WELA) to support early-grade literacy and numeracy. This project is implemented in partnership with Jumpstart, Click Learning, and Masinyusane.
Zazi iZandi (ZiZ)
Zazi Izandi is a play-based, evidence-informed intervention for Grade R and 1 learners, delivered by teaching assistants (TAs). ZiZ aims to build letter-sound knowledge, blending and segmenting skills, basic word reading, literacy confidence, and fun.
Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL)
Implemented in 6 rural primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, this project involves trained facilitators supporting learners. Plans are underway to expand TaRL to the North-West and Eastern Cape provinces.
High School Academic Programme (HSAP)
Supporting Grade 8 and 9 learners through online maths programmes delivered by 8 implementing partners. All tutors are employed through SEF, ensuring employment while boosting educational outcomes