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Student using a tablet in South Africa

With a drastic need for stronger education and jobs, people living in South Africa deserve opportunities for sustainable solutions that lead to better life outcomes.

South Africa spends one of the highest percentages of any country’s budget on education, yet student performance remains low. Just over half of children who start primary school will finish grade 12, with a similar percentage of university students on financial aid reaching graduation. There is a large gap between education and employer expectations, which makes it challenging for young people to find jobs — South Africa’s youth unemployment well exceeds 50 percent. The country’s plan to address these challenges creates a ripe opportunity to improve the lives of children and youth living in poverty.

region-south-africa

83

Active Projects

$ 41 M

Active Commitments

Education in South Africa

While education spending has increased, student performance has not improved. Among lower income students, only one in 18 earns a university degree or certificate. To change this, we increase schools’ access to high-quality tools and data that can help teachers better meet their students’ needs.

Quality Schools

Quality Schools

Less than one in 20 children from poor communities will go to university. We create more opportunities for these students’ success starting in R-12 education. Through our Partnership Schools program we support a new model that increases school options for poor families.

Classroom Supports

Classroom Supports

Teachers in the current school system have little to no access to the tools they need for students’ success. We believe that data, when used correctly, can dramatically improve student outcomes. We partner with organizations that use relevant technology, tools, and data to help South Africa create a data-driven education system.

University Success

University Success

Only two in five South African students from low-income backgrounds will complete university. One in three will not find jobs. Our Dell Young Leaders program helps students navigate common barriers to graduation. With the program’s support, students succeed in university and launch meaningful careers.

Family Economic Stability in South Africa

More than half of South Africa’s young adults do not have jobs, giving the country one of the world’s highest rates of youth unemployment. We believe the path to meaningful work begins with opportunity. We partner with organizations to provide youth with job experience and support their ongoing employment.

Jobs & Livelihoods

Jobs & Livelihoods

It’s often more than one thing that stands in the way of young people finding meaningful work. They often lack the education, connections, funds, and experience to navigate a career. We partner with organizations that use effective solutions to place young people in jobs, increase their work readiness, and remove barriers to their employment.

Our Program Team in South Africa

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