Our work
Systemic change requires strong, honest partnerships and an understanding that transformation takes time. By collaborating with like-minded donors, research institutions, implementing organisations, and government, we pool resources and expertise to address the complexities of the education sector.
Our focus is on supporting initiatives that drive lasting impact in early grade learning. Below are some key projects and partnerships we are proud to work with.
Our work
Systemic change requires strong, honest partnerships and an understanding that transformation takes time. By collaborating with like-minded donors, research institutions, implementing organisations, and government, we pool resources and expertise to address the complexities of the education sector.
Our focus is on supporting initiatives that drive lasting impact in early grade learning. Below are some key projects and partnerships we are proud to work with.
Building capabilities in early grade learning
Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS)
Optima is a funding partner of the Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS), a Department of Basic Education-led initiative that provides South Africa's first comprehensive, nationally representative picture of early grade reading outcomes across all 11 official spoken languages, measuring learner performance in grades 1–4 against language-specific benchmarks. Results launched in November 2025 revealed that only around 30% of learners in grade 1-3 are meeting their respective reading benchmarks; a critical baseline for national action. The next phase focuses on embedding FUNS into the education sector, updating Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) tools in line with the findings, and disseminating results to provinces, districts, and schools to drive evidence-based improvements in early grade reading instruction.
Foundational Learning Outcomes at Scale (FLOAT)
By working closely with national and provincial education departments, Float is a collaborative effort to improve foundation phase literacy and mathematics at scale. Optima is one of the founding donors represented on the Float board and supports government-led, evidence-based plans implemented by a consortium of partners across Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng provinces.
Early Grade Reading Project II (EGRP II)
Optima supports the Early Grade Reading Project II (EGRP II), a two-year intervention managed by UNICEF and led by the Department of Basic Education. EGRP II, targets grades 1-3 teachers in no-fee Setswana schools in the Northern Cape. The programme provides a structured reading curriculum, lesson plans, learning and teaching support materials, training, and coaching to improve literacy.
Magic Classroom Collective (MCC)
In partnership with the Nelson Mandela Institute, Optima supports the Magic Classroom Collective, a programme focused on enhancing early grade teaching in African language-dominant classrooms in rural Eastern Cape. Teachers receive learning and teaching support materials, coaching, training, and share insights in collaborative sessions hosted by the Nelson Mandela Institute.
Strengthening initial teacher education
Council of Higher Education National Review of Initial Teacher Education Qualifications
The Council on Higher Education’s (CHE) national review assesses all Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes at South Africa’s 39 higher education institutions against newly developed qualification standards. Using a peer-review approach, the review assesses whether programmes prepare student teachers, particularly in the foundation phase, with the knowledge, skills, and professional judgement needed to teach reading and numeracy effectively. Institutions will receive individual reports and support to align their programmes with the standards. A national report, due in 2028, will provide evidence to inform policy and strengthen teacher education across the country.
TICZA ESTI Prototype
The Teacher Internship Collaboration South Africa (TICZA) is a national partnership working to strengthen initial teacher education through extended student teacher internships (ESTI). Co-funded by a group of donors, the prototype brings together government, universities, and implementing partners to test a low-cost model to provide mentoring and professional support for foundation phase student teachers' classroom placements. Implemented across four higher education institutions and public primary schools in quintiles 1 to 3, the project aims to improve teacher readiness while generating evidence on the feasibility, affordability and scalability of extended internships within the public teacher education system.
Sesotho and isiZulu Reading Project (SIRP)
Optima funds the second phase of SIRP, which develops modules for teaching reading in Sesotho and IsiZulu in Bachelor of Education programmes. This phase focuses on supporting the adoption of these modules in Higher Education Institutions.
Primary Teacher Education (PrimTEd) 3.0
PrimTEd 3.0, led by Kelello Collectives, develops standardised assessments to measure student teachers’ knowledge in foundation phase literacy in IsiXhosa, Sepedi, and English as a First Additional Language, as well as mathematics. The project also facilitates communities of practice among lecturers to garner their support and inputs in the design and uptake of these assessments.
Advancing research on early grade learning
Supporting early & mid-career researchers
Through Optima's support, three partner organisations - the Nelson Mandela Institute, Kelello Collectives and the RESEP unit at Stellenbosch University - have strengthened their capacity and have expand the pool of skilled early and mid-level researchers in education.
Mixed-Method Investigation of Learning Assessment, Progression and Support (MILAPS)
Optima funds a five-year mixed-method research project led by the Research on Socioeconomic Policy (RESEP) unit at Stellenbosch University. The research is designed to provide critical insights into South Africa’s basic education system, particularly on learning losses, repetition rates and learning inequalities. Findings from the research will inform education policies and interventions.