In June 2023, the Mikhulu Trust partnered with the Centre for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution, a prestigious think tank based in Washington, D.C., to embark on groundbreaking research. This collaboration seeks to tackle global education challenges and drive innovative approaches to improving quality education and skills development.

Globally, surveys have been conducted in high schools and primary schools using “Conversation Starter Tools”, which explore parent and teacher beliefs about education. These tools help families and schools align on a shared understanding of quality education by addressing differing perspectives on the purpose of school, educational quality, and teaching approaches.

This research underlines the importance of collaboration, trust-building, and integrating families into education systems to foster equitable and successful learning environments.

For the first time, CUE extended its research into Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres, choosing the Mikhulu Trust as its partner for insights specific to South Africa. This makes Mikhulu the only ECD organization among 16 global participants.

Research Details:

• Adaptation and Translation: Questionnaires were adjusted for the ECD environment and translated into isiXhosa.
• Survey Scope: Research was conducted across 10 private ECD Centres, involving:
  • 484 families
  • 74 educators
• Engagement Sessions: Mikhulu facilitated conversations with families and educators in each Centre, discussing the survey findings.
• Data Sharing: All findings were sent to CUE for global dissemination.

Research assistants, Gugu,
Lukhanyile and Zubenathi,
conducted surveys with
parents and ECD practitioners
in Khayelitsha.

On 4 June 2024, Mikhulu’s Head of Programmes and Acting CEO, Karen Ross, headed to Washington DC to attend the Global Symposium on Family, School, and Community Engagement. At the Symposium, she co-hosted a workshop on “Strengthening Relational Trust between Families, Educators, and Students”, and participated in a panel discussion. Highlights of “The Six Global Lessons on How Family, School, and Community Engagement Can Transform Education” were also shared which was a culmination of the research undertaken in the 16 countries involved.

Head of Programmes and
Acting CEO, Karen Ross

Documented in a case study by the CUE, Mikhulu Trust’s research in private ECD Centers revealed two findings that stood out. First, the relational trust between parents/caregivers and ECD educators in South Africa was higher than in other countries. This was attributed to constant communication given the developmental stage of the children, and the fact that teachers were from the same communities as the parents/caregivers.

A second finding of note was that, despite efforts to promote greater play-based learning in ECD Centers and primary education in South Africa, families and educators did not prioritise play-based learning. When questioning why so few families and educators were prioritising play-based learning, conversations revealed that parents/caregivers were confused about what learning through play meant and its importance for developing essential skills for school success.

Mikhulu Trust is taking the lessons learned from the Conversation Starter Tools research to explore what a family-friendly approach looks like in our organisation’s mission and is reflecting on the role that play-based learning can and should play in ECD Centres. As we plan their next steps as an organisation and our role in the ECD sector, this community-driven research provides critical insights on how to promote more family-friendly ECD Centres.

For the full case study from Mikhulu Trust’s findings by the CUE, click here and scroll to page 158.