Rural Learners Excel Despite National School Readiness Decline

With school readiness levels across South Africa continuing to decline, a rural nonprofit in KwaZulu-Natal is offering a beacon of hope for the sector.

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As Term 4 assessments take place in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres nationwide, concerns are mounting about how well children are prepared to enter Grade R or Grade 1. National figures paint a bleak picture: only 42% of children are meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones, according to the latest Thrive by Five Index. This decline follows an earlier 2021 study showing that just 46% of children nationally were ‘on track’, with only 31% reaching expected levels in KwaZulu-Natal.

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However, Thanda, a nonprofit organisation based in Mtwalume, is proving that quality early learning is possible even in low-resource settings. Despite families in the area surviving on an average of R1,225 a month, Thanda’s ECD programme has achieved remarkable results. Its most recent assessments show that 95% of Grade 00 learners are developmentally on track, compared to just 30% nationally.

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Thanda’s success lies in its evidence-based curriculum, which uses storybooks and provides teachers with step-by-step guidance for every activity. “Our results show that a structured curriculum can transform classroom practice down to the minute,” said Angela Larkan, Thanda’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. “Even in the most remote classrooms, consistent mentorship and a clear teaching framework make all the difference.”

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Experts emphasise that readiness is about more than literacy and numeracy. It includes well-being, social confidence, emotional regulation, and the ability to adapt to structured environments. By addressing these areas, Thanda demonstrates how targeted investments in early education can strengthen South Africa’s wider school system.

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As the country prepares for 2026, Thanda’s model offers valuable lessons for policymakers and practitioners alike: quality early learning is not only possible, it is essential for building a stronger foundation for future success.