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Education
Education breaks cycles of poverty. We invest in safe learning spaces, stronger teaching, skills for young people and adults, and schooling that continues even when disaster strikes.
Why education matters
When children and adults can learn safely and with dignity, families gain more than knowledge — they gain choices. Education opens pathways out of poverty, strengthens communities and builds resilience for the next generation.
ADRA South Africa’s education work focuses on practical, lasting change: better places to learn, better quality of teaching and learning, skills that lead to opportunity, and protection for schooling when emergencies disrupt normal life.
We work closely with the Adventist education network and public schools in underserved communities, partnering where the need is greatest and where local relationships can sustain progress.
What we focus on
Our programmes are shaped around five connected priorities that help learners stay in school and prepare for work and leadership.
- Safe, inclusive learning environments
- Improving the quality of teaching and learning
- School infrastructure development
- Skills and vocational training for youth and adults
- Education support in emergencies
We partner through:
- Adventist education network partnerships
- Public schools in underserved communities
How we work in education
Each priority is practical. Together they keep learning possible in ordinary times and during crisis.
Safe, inclusive learning environments
Learners thrive where they feel welcome and protected. We support environments that are physically safe, socially inclusive and free from barriers that push children — especially girls and learners with disabilities — out of school.
Quality of teaching and learning
Strong schooling depends on what happens between teachers and learners every day. We invest in improving the quality of teaching and learning so that classrooms are places of growth, not only attendance.
School infrastructure development
Many communities still learn in facilities that are incomplete, overcrowded or unsafe. Infrastructure support helps schools provide the basic conditions learners need for regular attendance.
Skills and vocational training
We support skills and vocational training for youth and adults so people can build livelihoods, find work and contribute to their communities with confidence.
Education in emergencies
When floods, fires or displacement interrupt schooling, we work to keep learning going — so children do not lose years of progress because of an emergency.
Cross-cutting commitments
Four priorities are mainstreamed across every pillar of ADRA South Africa’s work, including education. They shape who we reach, how we design programmes and how we measure whether our support is fair and lasting.
- Gender equality — addressing the feminisation of poverty, violence against women and women’s exclusion from economic opportunity
- Youth development — skills, employability and leadership for young people
- Climate change and environmental stewardship — climate-smart programming and reducing our own environmental footprint
- Disability inclusion — ensuring people with disabilities are reached and heard
Safeguarding — the protection of children and vulnerable adults from harm, exploitation and abuse — underpins everything we do.
Gender equality
We address the feminisation of poverty, violence against women and women’s exclusion from economic opportunity — recognising that education and opportunity must reach girls and women if communities are to thrive.
Youth development
Young people need skills, employability and leadership pathways. Our education and training work helps youth prepare for work, contribute locally and shape a more hopeful future.
Climate and environment
Climate-smart programming matters in schools and communities alike. We seek approaches that reduce risk, protect the environment and lower the environmental footprint of our own operations.
Disability inclusion
Inclusive education means removing barriers, listening to lived experience and designing support that does not leave anyone behind.
Safeguarding
Protecting children and vulnerable adults from harm, exploitation and abuse is a core responsibility across every programme and partnership.
Help us reach more communities
Donate, volunteer, or explore how ADRA South Africa serves communities across the country.
Get involved
Volunteer your skills or explore partnership opportunities.
All pillars
See emergency, health, livelihoods, education and cross-cutting work.