Three years of data reveals a 37-percentage point gap in learning outcomes between schools with infrastructure alone and those with infrastructure and partner support
Breadline Africa, a non-profit organisation providing safe educational spaces for children since 1993, has released its 2025 Annual Impact Report – it is most comprehensive evidence-based report to date. Drawing on three years of data across all nine provinces, the report confirms that targeted infrastructure investment, when combined with strong partnerships, produces measurable and lasting outcomes for children.
In 2025, Breadline Africa completed projects at 79 sites, placing 310 infrastructure units and reaching 22,059 children and community members directly. Of the pre-schools monitored, 86% met the infrastructure requirements for Department of Basic Education (DBE) registration after receiving support – a critical milestone, as registration unlocks access to government subsidies that many centres depend on to remain operational.
The report’s most significant finding centres on the power of partnership. Pre-schools that received both Breadline Africa infrastructure and educator support from a partner organisation achieved an average Learning Programme Quality Assessment (LPQA) score of 84%, compared with 47% at sites that received infrastructure alone – a gap of 37 percentage points. Enrolment at supported centres grew by 26% and waiting lists across seven centres totalled 98 children, pointing to sustained demand in communities where quality learning environments remain scarce.
“This report matters because it gives us evidence,” said Marion Wagner, CEO of Breadline Africa. “We have always believed that safe spaces change outcomes for children and what the data now confirms is that infrastructure is the foundation – but partnership is what turns that foundation into real opportunity for children.”
Since 2023, Breadline Africa’s Pit Toilet Campaign has raised R40 million and installed 1,028 toilets and urinals across 53 schools in four provinces, improving sanitation for 18,511 learners and staff. Kitchens placed at pre- and primary schools enabled approximately 72,180 meals per month, while four school libraries reached 1,889 learners and supported access to more than 6,000 books.
Despite the progress, demand significantly outpaces supply. In 2025, Breadline Africa received 602 applications for support and funded 79 projects – a ratio of more than 8:1. The impact evidence confirms the urgency: for every rand invested in quality early childhood development, between R7 and R13 is returned over time.
The Breadline Africa 2025 Annual Impact Report is available to download now. Read the full report and see the evidence behind the work.
