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Kwena Basin Extension Project (2025-2028): Term 1 Plans, 2026

Monday, February 2, 2026 - 08:00 to Friday, February 6, 2026 - 14:00
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 08:00 to Friday, March 20, 2026 - 14:00

Main activities for Term 1 (2026):

  • Baseline Data Collection

Baseline information will be gathered from both Project and Non-Project schools to establish a clear picture of current learner performance and enable meaningful comparison at endline.

  • Official Visit 1: Support and Mentoring

The Basic Concepts Foundation (BCF) team will visit all participating classes from 2–6 February 2026 to mentor teachers, provide feedback, and support the implementation of the Basic Concepts Programme (BCP).

  • Official Visit 2: Training and Mentoring

Continued professional development for teachers will take place from 16–20 March 2026, focusing on the introduction of the third and fourth conceptual domains – Size and Position.

Teachers will also receive ongoing in-class mentoring and support from onsite project fieldworkers to strengthen their mediation skills and deepen their understanding of the concept teaching process.

What stood out for me - was not teaching the content, but how to teach the concept and so much vocabulary is elicited …

Thinking Stars: Teacher Feedback From Training, August 2014

‘Although I have been teaching Grade R for 23 years... I have learnt so much over the past 2 weeks and have already seen a change in most of my learners.’ (Metro Central, 2012)

Teacher Feedback

‘It is an excellent programme. Just a pity that not all reception year educators are exposed to the training. My understanding of the programme- it is developed to systematically mediate concepts so that learners are guided to develop an understanding and so that learning is meaningful.’ (Metro Central, 2012)

Training Feedback

For me the most effective aspect was the basic teaching model.  When I implemented the model I found that my learners were more focussed when I followed the steps of the model.

Ikwezi: Schools Development Unit, July 2014

‘The trainer was very good and it was refreshing to be part of a workshop that can actually make a difference in the lives and minds of learners.’ (Metro North, 2010)

Teacher Feedback

I feel very strongly that Basic Concepts should be introduced to all learners- this will give me the time to develop their conceptual language and increase their vocabulary and verbal fluency.

Metro Central Training: Western Cape Education Department (October, 2015)