VVOB in South Africa

At Qhozo High School in KwaZulu-Natal, 13-year-old Akhona Hadebe is learning about 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 in a practical way that is relevant to her daily life. She and her classmates are 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 and sharing what they've discovered with their families.

What started as a school project is now changing how learners think differently and act more 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.

This 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆, see how the Keep it 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 (𝗞𝗜𝗖2) is 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 to make 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 relevant and practical in the classroom.

Read more: https://www.vvob.org/stories-news/turning-climate-education-into-action



Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment | Dhethadi | Department of Basic Education South Africa

Quality education is one of the most powerful drivers of climate action. But it only works if teachers know how to teach it.

That's what the Keep It Cool (KIC 2.0) Climate Change Education Programme is about. Working with the Department of Education, KIC 2.0 integrates climate change into the curriculum across life orientation, natural sciences, social sciences and economic and management sciences.

The programme works with both teachers and school leaders, because when leadership is on board, teachers have the support to make climate education relatable in the classroom.

When teachers are prepared, learners don't just learn about climate change: they understand it. They know what's happening in their world and they have the tools to respond.



Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment | DHET | Department of Basic Education South Africa | VVOB - education for development

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲?
We are proud to see the Regional Teacher Initiative for Africa (RTIA) expanding into Mpumalanga: strengthening early childhood education where it matters most.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
It allows us to build the capacity of more provincial and district officials and civil society partners, including Penreach NGO and early childhood development practitioners working with the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

Together, they support more inclusive, gender-responsive teaching in early learning spaces, which enhances the educational experience for all children and promotes equality in early childhood education.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗽𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿?
• We've trained facilitators through a training-of-trainers.
• Implementation has started across communities.

This expansion means more practitioners reached, stronger support systems and better learning experiences for young children.



Enabel | European Commission | VVOB in Kenya | Department of Basic Education South Africa

Registrations are now OPEN for the Collaboration in Action Series Part 2 webinar.

Hosted by NASCEE, in partnership with the IPASA, the session will focus on the Fundisa for Change Keep It Cool 2 (KIC2) Programme, which supports climate change education in South Africa's public schools.

Our very own Ayanda Sithole will join government, technical experts and funders to unpack what it really takes to make climate education work at scale.

When: 9 April 2026 | 11:00 – 12:30 (SAST)
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams

What to expect:
• A closer look at how the KIC2 programme supports climate change education.
• Insights into teacher development models, including online learning and professional learning communities.
• Lessons on working together across organisations and sectors.

This webinar is part of a series spotlighting collaboration models in action, based on case studies developed by IPASA.

Register here: https://bit.ly/nascee-registration

We're heading to

VVOB's Henré Benson will join a panel discussion titled "AI and EdTech for Peace and Inclusion: Accessing the Hardest to Reach Through Smarter Solutions".

The session explores a question that sits at the heart of our work: How can technology genuinely help reach learners who are too often left out of quality education?

Henre will be joined by speakers from EIDU, CGA Technologies, Acumen and Education Above All, with Saskia Sickinger (Education Finance Network) moderating.

Visit our website to discover the other sessions we're part of at CIES 2026 👇

CIES 2026: Re-examining Education and Peace in a Divided World CIES 2026 welcomes a wide range of submissions that reflect diverse perspectives and encourage meaningful dialogue and critical reflection. Through these contributions, the conference aims to spark thought-provoking discussions that advance global peace, social cohesion, and justice.

Partnerships in action through Funda Udlale Nathi (F.U.N.)

Sanelisiwe and Sandisiwe saw a problem and chose to solve it differently.

While many water-conservation campaigns already exist, they noticed something important: most weren’t speaking to young people in a way that felt relevant. Instead of repeating what had been done before, they asked a simple question: what would actually grab our attention?

Their answer was a mobile app that combines puzzles, quizzes and short skits.

For them, the choice was obvious: “We live in the 21st century, so why not create something that feels like it belongs there?”

This is learner-centred education in action. Learning that starts from young people’s experience of the world. This is exactly what calls for: ensuring young people are not only included but trusted to help shape how learning happens.

Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/evCE3vrc

KZNDOE

VVOB is proud to participate in the 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, taking place from 20 to 22 January. On the first day of the programme, we will contribute to a panel discussion on positioning teacher development for quality foundational learning.

This year’s Lekgotla places a strong emphasis on teacher development and pedagogical support. These priorities align closely with our core areas of work and our contribution to strengthening teaching and learning in the basic education sector.

Read more about the Lekgotla 👇

Basic Education hosts 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, 20 to 22 Jan | South African Government Basic Education Sector set to host 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla The Department of Basic Education (DBE), led by Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule will from 20 to 22 January 2026 host the 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Ce...