The Jacobs Foundation's LEVANTE Structure in Cape Verde: A Boost for Education and Child Development
The Jacobs Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to improving the prospects of children and young people, has played a significant role in the development of education and child development in Cape Verde through its LEVANTE Framework. This article explores the LEVANTE Framework, its impact in Cape Verde, and how it is contributing to a brighter future for Cape Verdean children.
What is the LEVANTE Structure?
LEVANTE, which means "Raise Up" in Portuguese, represents the Jacobs Foundation's approach to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and child development. The LEVANTE framework focuses on:
- Liderance: Strengthening leadership at all levels of the education system.
- Evidence: Using data and evidence to inform decision-making and improve programmes.
- Valourisation: Valuing and supporting education professionals such as teachers and kindergarten teachers.
- Accessibility: Ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.
- NOvation: To promote innovation and creativity in teaching and learning.
- Transformation: Driving systemic transformation to create a lasting impact.
- EEmpowerment: Empowering communities and families to become actively involved in their children's education.
The Impact of the Jacobs Foundation in Cape Verde
The Jacobs Foundation has invested in Cape Verde through partnerships with local and government organisations to implement programmes aligned with the LEVANTE framework. These programmes aim to address specific challenges faced by the Cape Verdean education system, including:
- Low quality of pre-school education.
- Lack of adequate training for teachers and kindergarten teachers.
- Limited access to teaching materials and educational resources.
- High dropout rates.
Examples of Initiatives Funded by the Jacobs Foundation
The Jacobs Foundation has supported several initiatives in Cape Verde, including:
- Teacher Training Programmes: The Foundation funds ongoing training programmes for teachers and kindergarten teachers, focusing on innovative teaching methodologies and effective pedagogical practices.
- Development of teaching materials: The Foundation supports the development and distribution of high-quality teaching materials that are culturally relevant and adapted to the Cape Verdean context.
- Support for Early Childhood Centres: The Foundation invests in improving the infrastructure and resources of early childhood education centres, ensuring that children have a safe and stimulating environment in which to learn and grow.
- Community Involvement Programmes: The Foundation promotes the involvement of families and communities in children's education through awareness programmes and parental support.
Case Study: Improving Pre-School Education on Santiago Island
A notable case study is the pre-school education improvement programme implemented on Santiago Island with the support of the Jacobs Foundation. This programme involved training kindergarten teachers, distributing teaching materials and creating more stimulating learning environments. Preliminary results indicate a significant increase in the quality of pre-school education and in the development of the participating children.
Statistics show that the children who took part in the programme showed notable improvements in their reading, writing and maths skills, as well as in their socio-emotional development.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
Despite significant progress, there are still challenges to be overcome to ensure that all Cape Verdean children have access to quality education. These challenges include:
- The need to expand pre-school education programmes to rural and remote areas.
- The importance of strengthening the capacity of the education system to sustain the initiatives funded by the Jacobs Foundation in the long term.
- The need to address the social and economic inequalities that affect access to education.
However, there are also significant opportunities for the future. The Jacobs Foundation can continue to play a key role in supporting the development of education in Cape Verde through:
- Investment in research and evaluation to identify best practices and measure the impact of programmes.
- Promoting collaboration between different actors in the education system, including the government, civil society organisations and the private sector.
- Support for innovation and the use of technologies to improve the quality of education.
Conclusion
The Jacobs Foundation's LEVANTE Framework has been a catalyst for improving education and child development in Cape Verde. Through strategic partnerships and focussed investments, the Foundation has contributed to strengthening leadership, promoting innovation and ensuring that more children have access to quality education. Although there are still challenges to overcome, the Jacobs Foundation's impact is undeniable and offers hope for a brighter future for Cape Verdean children. Continued commitment to the LEVANTE framework and collaboration with local partners will be crucial to ensuring that all children in Cape Verde have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
For more information on the Jacobs Foundation's funding opportunities and how to apply, visit: https://jacobsfoundation.org/en/
Deadline for applications:19th August 2025
Apply for the Jacobs Foundation LEVANTE and boost your research into education and child development! [Find out more and apply here](https://jacobsfoundation.smapply.org/prog/levante_application_second_cohort/).
