17 Jun Launch of Mpumalanga Grade R Capacity Building Programme Marks New Era for Gr.R Education
NELSPRUIT – A major stride toward educational excellence was taken yesterday, 12 June 2025, with the successful launch of the Mpumalanga Province Grade R (MP-R) Capacity Building Programme. The event, held in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Education and four respected non-profit organisations, Penreach, RED INK, Wordworks, and Trackosaurus, marks the beginning of a transformative three-year initiative aimed at improving the quality of Grade R education across the province.
“The launch of the Mpumalanga Grade R Capacity Building Programme marks a defining moment in our commitment to laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning.
The Department is of the view that the first step towards excellence begins in the early years and through this workshop, we are investing in our teachers and in the future of every child in our province. With the support of our partners, we are turning the promise of quality early childhood education into a powerful reality for thousands of learners,” Mr Senzakhona Mkhwanazi, Deputy Director General, from Mpumalanga Department of Education said.
With the support of funders – the Roger Federer Foundation and the Get It Done Foundation – the programme is set to reach over 1 100 schools and impact approximately 2 200 Grade R teachers across all four education districts in the province.
The programme was officially unveiled with keynote addresses from departmental representatives, implementing partners, and funders, all reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening school readiness and early learning outcomes in Mpumalanga.
“This is more than a programme – it is a movement toward meaningful change in how we prepare our youngest learners for success,” said Penreach Acting CEO and COO, Mrs Susanna Behrend, during the launch.
Key components of the MP-R Capacity Building Programme include:
- School Readiness Initiative (SRI), led by Penreach, which will extend structured training and digital resource provision to Grade R educators in Gert Sibande and Nkangala, building on previous successes in Ehlanzeni and Bohlabela.
- Stellar Home Language Programme, implemented by Wordworks, which will empower Subject Advisors to support teachers in effective home language instruction.
- R-Maths Programme, facilitated by RED INK, to enhance the teaching of foundational mathematics through Subject Advisor training.
- Game-Based Assessments, piloted by Trackosaurus, to innovate how learner development is measured through digital gaming tools.
With an initial funding commitment of R18 million secured for 2025, this programme represents one of the largest and most coordinated efforts to date in Gr.R education in the province.
Penreach, as the lead implementing partner, will oversee financial and operational management, ensuring a collaborative and accountable rollout across all districts.
ENDS
