Care for Wild’s conservation education programme, part of its community conservation projects, brings Good Work Foundation’s Open Learning Academy to four neighbouring primary schools. Since April, trained facilitators have been present every week, with more than 600 learners receiving direct educational support each week during the initial rollout.
Why education is part of conservation
Conservation does not exist in isolation from the people and communities surrounding protected landscapes. Building opportunity, confidence and educational capacity among the next generation is part of strengthening the wider social foundations on which a resilient conservation landscape depends.
Our educational outreach programme delivers Good Work Foundation’s Open Learning Academy within neighbouring schools, bringing trained facilitators and structured learning support directly into communities surrounding the protected area.
Training the facilitators: March
The year began with preparation and capacity building. In March, Care for Wild’s facilitators undertook intensive training with Good Work Foundation in Hazyview, strengthening their ability to create engaging, supportive and evidence-informed learning environments. This included approaches that place emotional readiness, participation and cognitive engagement at the centre of the classroom experience.
Reaching four schools every week: April
By April, this training had translated into a consistent weekly presence across Sheba Primary, Fairview Primary, Sinqobile Primary and Louieville Combined Primary Schools, with more than 600 learners receiving direct educational support each week during the initial rollout.
English and Mathematics support: May to August
From May to August, the programme continued to develop in both reach and depth.
Facilitators delivered structured English and Mathematics support, progressing from foundational concepts such as sentence construction, phonics, basic calculations and time, to more advanced learning including reading comprehension, multiplication and division, fractions, unit conversion, tenses, ratios and examination preparation.
Responding to what schools need
Importantly, the programme has also responded to the needs identified by schools themselves. When the principal of Sheba Primary requested additional support for Grade 7 learners, Care for Wild’s facilitators expanded their work into the senior phase, supporting 57 Grade 7 learners with Mathematics and exam preparation during August.
Learning that is engaging and accessible
Learning is deliberately made engaging and accessible. Digital tablets, interactive activities, movement and “brain break” sessions help maintain participation in large classrooms, while play-based activities and creative learning days create opportunities for children to build confidence, curiosity and a positive relationship with learning.
Impact beyond the classroom
Impact extends beyond academic content. During August, learners across the four schools wrote personal letters of appreciation to their mothers, grandmothers and sisters for Women’s Day, a simple exercise that encouraged reflection, gratitude and expression.
Frequently asked questions about the conservation education programme
What is Care for Wild’s educational outreach programme?
It delivers Good Work Foundation’s Open Learning Academy in neighbouring schools, bringing trained facilitators and structured learning support into the communities around the protected area. Care for Wild’s facilitators trained with Good Work Foundation in March.
Which schools does the programme support?
Sheba Primary, Fairview Primary, Sinqobile Primary and Louieville Combined Primary Schools. More than 600 learners received direct support each week during the initial rollout. After Sheba Primary’s principal asked for more help, 57 Grade 7 learners received extra Mathematics and exam preparation in August.
What do learners study?
Facilitators deliver structured English and Mathematics support, from phonics and basic calculations to reading comprehension, fractions, ratios and exam preparation. Digital tablets, interactive activities and play-based learning keep large classrooms engaged.
Help bring learning to more children
Your donation can help fund tablets, workbooks, stationery, classroom equipment and digital learning programmes for neighbouring schools.
Support community impact
More ways to get involved: Donate · Adopt a rhino · Volunteer · Stay at Rhino View Lodge
