Our 2030 vision
Working with government, FLOAT will fund evidence-based interventions at scale to catalyse a measurable and sustainable improvement to ensure that children are numerate and literate at the age of 10.
Working with Government
National and provincial governments are active partners in the process, exercising decision-making authority and contributing financial and human resources to the project.
Meaningful scale
A scope large enough to encounter the “problems of scale,” typically spanning a few districts or an entire province. The intervention should align with government structures and bureaucratic realities.
Partner
A collaborative of donors who collectively fund FLOAT through a shared funding pool.
Sustainable
The intervention is designed to be embedded within government funding, processes, and systems, ensuring continuity after the donor-funded project concludes.
Measurable improvement
A statistically significant improvement in learning outcomes, as defined by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and National Planning Commission (NPC). This includes:
- SMART milestones: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
- Intermediate indicators: Metrics such as books distributed, training sessions completed, school visits conducted, teacher practices improved, and material usage tracked.
- Regular data collection to monitor progress against these indicators.
Evidence-based
The proposed projects are supported by high-quality research demonstrating improvements in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy outcomes at scale (e.g., 50+ schools). Ideally, the evidence is derived from the South African context or comparable low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, with ongoing evidence collection during implementation.
Our strategic approach
FLOAT collaborates with provincial governments to design and support Foundational Literacy and Numeracy strategies that align with local needs. Our approach is collaborative, data-driven and grounded in three core strategies:
Collaboration with government
We work closely with the Department of Basic Education, at both provincial and national levels, to align our goals and resources. By supporting government-led initiatives, we ensure that our programmes are sustainable and scalable within the public education system.
Investment in evidence-based programmes
FLOAT prioritises funding proven approaches that will enhance literacy and numeracy in South African classrooms. With an annual commitment of R100 million over three years we focus on high-impact, evidence-based solutions that directly benefit young learners.
Focus on sustainability and scalability
By supporting early interventions that strengthen foundational skills, FLOAT’s model ensures learners are equipped to progress in their education and build meaningful future.
Funders
FLOAT is supported by a dedicated group of funders committed to transforming education in South Africa.
Key stakeholders
We collaborate with key stakeholders, including government, provincial education departments, educators and decisionmakers, to drive impactful and sustainable improvements in literacy and numeracy.
