Beyond the Classroom, We shape the Future

(Duduzile, Nomusa, Lorancia and Joyce)

Inside the club house of Middelburg Primary School, a third gathering of a vibrant community of practice made up of after-school programme leaders from across the Mpumalanga province took place. These were not just meetings—they were moments of alignment, of vision, of building something bigger than any one organisation could achieve alone.

At the heart of the session was the newly released Quality Standards for After-School Programmes Toolkit. Designed to elevate the impact of after-school initiatives, the toolkit anchored four foundational pillars of the quality standards for after-school programmes.

1. Quality Programme Design: Ensuring that every activity is intentional, inclusive, and aligned with developmental outcomes.

2. Environment, Health, and Wellness: Creating safe, nurturing spaces that support learners’ physical and emotional wellbeing.

3. Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration between schools, communities, and stakeholders to collaborate.

4. Human Resources and Relations: Investing in the people who make the programmes thrive—through training, support, and recognition.

As the rain gently poured on the school's sports ground, facilitators from The Learning Trust guided us through reflective exercises, case studies, and practical strategies that we all contributed in group activities. Laughter mingled with deep discussions as we exchange ideas and make commitments 

(After-school programme leaders with Learning Trust facilitators)

This was more than a training, it was a reaffirmation that in every corner of South Africa, after-school programmes are not just filling time—they are shaping futures of this country.

(Sarai demonstrating an AI robot for foundation phase)