Most recently, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education partnered with Universal Learning Solutions and Jolly Learning to launch a pilot programme aimed at empowering teachers with the tools and training to boost early reading and writing skills. This pilot, held at Umkomaas Primary School from the 3rd to the 4th of February, is another exciting milestone in a growing movement to support educators and learners across South Africa.

Building on a Strong Foundation

While the KZN pilot is the most recent, it follows a series of successful Jolly Phonics initiatives in South Africa:

• Western Cape & Free State: To date, thousands of teachers have been trained, with learners showing an average of 8–12 months in literacy improvement compared to non-Jolly Phonics peers.
• Eastern Cape: A government-endorsed roll-out has taken place, improving foundational reading skills in early grades.
• Northern Cape: Schools have recorded a 20% increase in phonemic awareness and stronger reading fluency.

Each pilot has played an essential role in demonstrating the effectiveness of synthetic phonics, reinforcing that when teachers are equipped with the right tools and support, learners can thrive.

What the KZN Pilot Involves

In this latest initiative, 45 educators from across the province received in-depth training on how to implement Jolly Phonics in their classrooms. Schools participating in the pilot have been provided with:

• Comprehensive Jolly Phonics resources to use in teaching.
• Access to the Jolly Lessons App for parents and teachers to support learning beyond the classroom.
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship, with Subject Advisors and School Departmental Heads overseeing implementation.

With this structured, hands-on approach, teachers can immediately apply what they’ve learned, ensuring that learners engage with phonics in an enjoyable and effective way.

A Collaborative Effort for Literacy Success

The success of Jolly Phonics in South Africa is due to the collective efforts of teachers, education departments, and the efforts of organisations like Universal Learning Solutions. Through their work, over 230,000 educators and 9,000 officials have been trained across Africa, making it one of the largest literacy projects on the continent.

In discussing the pilot and the ongoing work in South Africa, Gary Foxcroft CEO of Universal Learning Solutions said:

“South Africa's ongoing reading crisis is widely documented and remains a key concern for government. Jolly Phonics presents the most evidence-based and cost-effective way to solve this crisis, and we are delighted to be working with an increasing number of provincial government education departments to bring about this positive change.”

What's Next?

The impact of the KZN pilot will be closely monitored, with data and teacher feedback helping to determine the next steps. If the results reflect the same literacy improvements seen in other provinces, the programme will be expanded to benefit even more learners.

Universal Learning Solutions’ work in South Africa continues with another Jolly Phonics pilot for Grade One teachers in Gauteng province.

At their heart, these initiatives are about supporting teachers, inspiring learners, and strengthening the foundation of literacy in South Africa. Each successful pilot is another step forward in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader and writer.