The Anton Lubowski Educational Trust has raised concerns about the state of South Africa's education system, warning of burnout among teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and under-resourced schools.
The Trust says educators are working under unsafe conditions and are increasingly affected by crime and social instability. It also noted serious shortcomings in early childhood development.
Trust Director Nadia Lubowski says policy reform remains important but urged the public to assist through practical support, including book donations and contributions to school feeding programmes.
"In some ways, we have so much catching up to do, because of the fact that we are so stuck in what I would say is this incredible disparity between what children in more affluent areas are getting and what they are getting in the rural and more disparate areas," says Lubowski.
"There is a huge gap there and that is something we are falling incredibly far behind with-getting our children to the point of just feeling competent in the things that they do," she adds.
