After School. In Home. In Community.

CHILDREN LEARN

Children learn in school, after school, in home and in community.

WCED @HomeLearning links schools, homes and communities to support
learners at risk of disengagement. Trained YeBoneers support learners and caregivers, keeping learners connected to education.

Since 2020, the programme has adapted to learner needs, delivery lessons and
partner feedback.

HOW?

The WCED @HomeLearning programme responds to ongoing challenges related to learner engagement, school attendance and limited support within home environments, particularly in under-resourced communities.

The programme is designed to strengthen an educational ecosystem across school, home and community, recognising that learning extends beyond the classroom. Its primary focus is on Referred Learners, identified by schools as at risk of disengaging from education due to factors such as absenteeism, behavioural or emotional challenges, difficult home circumstances, or learning delays.

Through structured Referred Learner sessions, home visits, and community-based engagement, trained youth (YeBoneers) provide both educational and psycho-social support. A key component of the programme is strengthening caregiver involvement, building relationships between homes and schools, and equipping caregivers with practical ways to support learning. It also ensures the employability of the YeBoneers with about 70% finding work or moving onto further education after the 10-month programme.

In 2026, the programme builds on previous implementation learnings, with a strong focus on structured and consistent delivery, alignment with the academic calendar, strengthening caregiver engagement and enhanced identification and support of at-risk learners.

KEY PROGRAMME STAKEHOLDERS

The WCED @HomeLearning programme responds to ongoing challenges related to learner engagement, school attendance and limited support within home environments,
particularly in under-resourced communities.

The programme is designed to strengthen an educational ecosystem across school, home and community, recognising that learning extends beyond the classroom. Its primary focus is on Referred Learners, identified by schools as at risk of disengaging from education.

The @HomeLearning programme supports a range of key stakeholders, with a primary focus on Referred Learners, while also engaging caregivers, teachers, and communities as part of a broader educational ecosystem.

LEARNERS

Learners access the programme through multiple pathways:

  • Referred Learners: (Primary Focus) Identified by schools as being at risk of disengaging from education. These learners are selected using the ABCDE criteria:
    • • A Absenteeism or frequent late coming
    • • B Behavioural or emotional challenges
    • • C Challenges within the home environment
    • • D Disengagement in class
    • • E Educational delays (e.g. reading and writing support)

    Referred learners receive targeted support through structured sessions, home visits and ongoing engagement.

  • At-Risk Learners: Identified through programme activities or community engagement as potentially requiring additional support or referral. This may include:
    • • Learners not currently enrolled in school
    • • Health or emotional wellbeing concerns
    • • Disruptive, aggressive, violent or bullying behaviour
    • • Lack of support or neglect at home
    • • Concerns about a learner’s physical safety
    • • Learning difficulties or other support needs
  • Self-selecting Learners: Learners who participate voluntarily in community-based activities such as EduFun sessions and Walking Bus, contributing to broader programme reach.

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Parents and Caregivers are key to supporting learner outcomes. The programme engages caregivers through:

  • Home visits
  • Caregiver Connect Sessions
  • Community-based interactions

These engagements aim to strengthen caregiver involvement, equip parents and caregivers with practical knowledge and resources to support learning at home, and build stronger connections between home and school.

TEACHERS

Teachers support the identification of referred learners and play an important role in strengthening the connection between the programme and the school. The programme also supports teachers by promoting school attendance, sharing relevant information from the home, encouraging parent and caregiver engagement with the school and supporting learner wellbeing and engagement.

YEBONEERS

YeBoneers are youth participants who implement the programme at community level. They work directly with learners while helping to strengthen the connections between schools, homes and communities. They support learners academically and socially, engage parents and caregivers, work alongside schools and community stakeholders, and help connect learners and families to additional support where needed.

In addition, YeBoneers benefit from ongoing development opportunities, including:

  • Weekly personal and professional development sessions through Future Fit Friday’s.
  • Quarterly technical training to strengthen programme delivery and practical implementation.

These opportunities support their personal growth, build transferable skills, and contribute to pathways toward further education and employment.

OUR 3 INTEGRATED PROGRAMME AREAS

LEARNERS

Supporting learners
through targeted
interventions,
learning activities and
opportunities to stay
engaged in education.

HOMES, PARENTS
& CAREGIVERS

Strengthening caregiver
involvement through home
visits, practical resources
and opportunities to support
learning at home.

SCHOOLS &
COMMUNITIES

Strengthening the
networks around learners
through collaboration with
schools, stakeholders and
communities.

PROGRAMME
SCOPE 2026

6 WCED Districts
85 Partner Schools
6 907 Referred Learners
660 @Home YeBoneers

6 WCED Districts
85 Partner Schools
6 907 Referred Learners
660 @Home YeBoneers

DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME

2025

115 199

REFERRED
LEARNERS
SESSIONS
ENGAGEMENTS

7 201

CAREGIVERS
CONNECT
ENGAGEMENTS

22 612

HOME VISITS
CONDUCTED

REACHING MORE
THAN 6 000 HOMES

442

@HOME
YEBONEERS
GRADUATED

OUR PARTNERS

The WCED @HomeLearning Programme is primarily funded by the Western Cape Education Department and YearBeyond and involves key partnerships with multiple stakeholders.

These include:

  • WCED (Provincial, Districts / Schools and Curriculum)
  • YearBeyond (Youth service and programme support)
  • DCAS & NYDA (Funding support for mentor positions and YeBoneer allowances)
  • Hope Through Action (Lead Organisation) working with their implementing partner SCORE
  • Val de Vie Foundation (Strategy, Advocacy, Financial support, Website development and maintenance)
  • 15 Other Local NGO Partners (Programme implementation)

Watch our Video
in the blue block

Innovation Award

Our marquee programme led by the Western Cape Education Department won First Runner Up for the Replication and Adaptation of an Innovation Solution category in 2021.

This formed part of the National Public Service Awards and was the only project to be shortlisted in the public education sector.