Measurability:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) System
The MEL system ensures accountability, tracks progress, and promotes continuous improvement. It measures impact on both teacher practice and learner behaviour, ensuring the programme’s sustainability and effectiveness. Authentic Roots’ participatory MEL framework serves as both a management and learning tool. It is guided by three core functions: Monitoring: Ensuring planned activities and resources are implemented efficiently. Evaluation: Measuring changes in knowledge, attitudes, and environmental behaviours. Learning: Applying insights to refine and enhance programme delivery. By involving teachers and their supporting NPO staff in data collection and reflection, the MEL system builds shared ownership of results and deepens the culture of learning. It also provides credible evidence for funders and partners, demonstrating measurable social and environmental impact.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
Our programme contributes meaningfully to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives by advancing environmental literacy (E), strengthening educator capacity and community inclusion (S), and promoting collaborative partnerships that enhance the quality and accountability of early childhood education systems (G). Through hands-on training, curriculum integration, and community engagement, we equip ECD practitioners to build environmentally conscious learning environments that benefit both children and their communities. By investing in early environmental education, partners directly support South Africa’s transition toward sustainable development, equitable education, and long-term environmental care.
Programme Outcomes
Upon completion, ECD practitioners emerge as confident sustainability champions, empowered to integrate environmental learning into everyday activities and to model responsible, creative citizenship to young learners. Participants in the Environmental Education Programme gain practical and measurable skills, including the ability to: - Develop a new perspective on the environment and sustainability. - Confidently integrate environmental education into daily classroom activities. - Deliver practical, low-cost, and curriculum-aligned sustainability projects. - Build responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving skills among learners. - Demonstrate real-world environmental learning through portfolios, reflections, and reports. - Reduce food waste and divert it from landfill. - Enhance their ECD centre sustainably by creating their own nutrient-rich soil for gardens. - Community engagement through take-home storybooks and seed planting. These outcomes position teachers and learners as active contributors to South Africa’s sustainable future, strengthening both environmental literacy and social impact within communities.