For Learners in Underprivileged Areas, Masikhule’s App Is Transforming ECD and Learning Skills

The cutting-edge app MASKOT, created by Masikhule, a nonprofit organisation committed to supporting early childhood development teachers in underserved communities, is intended to improve early learning abilities and position children for success.

The app was released in Somerset West with the goal of giving children at the Masikhule charity learning skills, reports the Good Things Guy.

With the help of Upside Trust, Masikhule changed its current curriculum into a downloadable, theme-based program called MASKOT (Masikhule – Keep on Track) for children from ages 0 to 5. The organisation claimed to have recognised the need for easily accessible resources, particularly in places with poor internet connectivity.

An online tool called MASKOT gives teachers access to classroom materials, early intervention exercises, and developmental checklists to help children stay on track with their education. This helps to address the alarming statistics of children under five not having access to early learning programs, particularly in underserved communities.

“Our ultimate goal is for every child to enter formal schooling firmly on track, which is why we named our theme-based online application MASKOT,” said Sandy Immelman, Marketing and Communications Officer at Masikhule.

Throughout the years, Masikhule has generated content and tested it with educators attending its early learning programme (ELP) training, with mentors stating that they had witnessed positive effects in the ECD Centres they visited.

“We added essential Early Intervention activities for Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Basic Concepts, Visual Perception, and other early learning skills, along with Developmental Checklists, to our theme-based program for 0–3 and 3–5-year-olds,” Immelman said.

Following its official launch in 2024, MASKOT successfully conducted several onboarding workshops with other community-based ECD organisations. In order to demonstrate its beneficial effects and the importance of early intervention, the charity also gave the Western Cape Education Department presentations on its ELP and MASKOT.

“Our goal was to spread the word about Masikhule and MASKOT’s beneficial effects on the ECD community. Additionally, we got the chance to present unambiguous proof of how occupational therapy and early intervention are improving and altering the results of early child development,” she said.

Editor’s note: To assist kids to stay on track with their schooling, teachers can access developmental checklists, early intervention activities, and classroom materials through an online program called MASKOT. This aids in addressing the concerning data showing that, especially in underprivileged areas, children under five do not have access to early learning programs.

Description: Masikhule, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting early childhood development teachers in underprivileged communities, developed the innovative software MASKOT with the goal of enhancing early learning skills and setting up children for success.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA