This Review is a showcase of the outstanding innovations the Bertha Centre’s Education Innovation Initiative has uncovered in the South African education space. Upon reflection of our work over the first three years of the Initiative’s work, we were inspired to compile the first South African Education Innovator's Review, in partnership with the Results for Development Institute's Center for Education Innovations.

Through this Review we want to celebrate a selection of the innovations we have uncovered. These innovations have proven positive impact, and have scaled to increase the reach of this impact. We spent time with the implementers to move beyond a clinical analysis, to extract and understand their practical learnings gathered through implementation, and to identify what works and why.

The education ecosystem is reflected in the chapters of this Review, with the learner at the centre, surrounded by the vital stakeholders needed for successful systemic change: teachers, parents and caregivers, school leadership, Government and the private sector. Along with the in-depth look at specific programmes, each chapter features a local expert's opinion, outlining the current state of - and challenges in - the particular field, and highlighting the need for innovation and the likely components of a viable solution. We have also highlighted some innovations to watch, which are meeting a need in this ecosystem through sustainable and thoughtful implementation.

This Review shines a spotlight on the sometimes under-recognised role that frontline actors can play in systemic change in education, and the hope that lies in the all-too-often untold narrative of their positive work. We hope that you are inspired to embark on your own journey to support education in our country.

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