Sunday Independent & Sunday Tribune
We when think about education, we often focus on what happens in the classroom. But learner development goes beyond what is taught in school. In SA After school programmes are critical in helping vulnerable learners from underserved communities reach their full potential through participation in arts and culture, sports, life skills or academic activities.
After school programmes help develop learners self-esteem and sense of belonging which are the cornerstones of mental well-being. Supporting learners to believe in themselves encourages them to stay in school – they feel that they belong and can excel. Learners who drop out of school often do so because they have given up on themselves and their futures.