Evidence and practical insights from implementing structured learning programmes in South Africa

The purpose of this document is to provide comprehensive guidelines, with specific examples of effective early grade reading programmes in South Africa. This document also offers direction to the process of generating evidence and an overview of the methods and approaches that have been followed to work towards scaling some of these evidence-based programmes.

By offering insights and recommendations rooted in contextually relevant research findings, this guideline aims to:

1. Guide Educational Stakeholders: Provide non-governmental Organisations, implementers, and donors of educational interventions with guidance on effective programming strategies and choices to enhance early grade reading in South African schools.
2. Promote Consistency: Encourage a unified and consistent approach to early grade interventions across the country.
3. Support Evidence-Driven Investments: Stimulate informed investments in impactful professional development interventions aimed at improving learning outcomes.
4. Share good practices: Provide educational practitioners and researchers with insights into South Africa’s journey in evidence-based implementation.

Rather than summarising the key research findings, this document provides background on the research, focusing on the operational details, practical insights, and best practices, developed through the research series. It also provides recommendations, and outlines some of the complexities around scaling the programmes. Each section is divided into: What was tried, Lessons, and Recommendations.