Kwena Basin Extension Project (2025-2028): Baseline Results 2026
Part of the Project
Baseline Snapshot (2026)
As part of the Kwena Extension Project, we conducted a baseline assessment with Grade 1 learners across four schools—two participating in the project and two serving as control schools. This provides a clear and credible starting point for tracking progress over time.
Learners were assessed using the Test of Basic Concepts Knowledge (TBCK), which measures understanding of key early learning concepts such as colour, shape, size, position, number, and letter knowledge.
While the TBCK is typically administered in learners’ home languages, both teaching and assessment in this context were conducted in English, a first additional language for most learners.
This is important to bear in mind when interpreting the results, and also reflects a central challenge the project seeks to address.
Even with this consideration, the findings point to very low levels of readiness for formal learning. The majority of learners fall within the very weak to weak range, with only a small number demonstrating age-appropriate foundational skills.
Importantly, there is no meaningful difference between the project and control schools at baseline, confirming that the groups are well matched and providing a reliable foundation for measuring impact.
We will continue to track this cohort over the next three years, with a clear focus on strengthening both conceptual understanding and the language needed to access learning.
