Vision Statement: Unlock Learning South Africa exists to break down barriers to education by empowering ALL learners to thrive in under-resourced primary schools in South Africa.
As an experienced and passionate teacher, I have a deep commitment to supporting neurodiverse learners and advocating for inclusive education in South Africa. My journey is both professional and personal. I am the proud mother of two amazing sons, each with a brilliant and unique mind. Their educational journeys required particular support to help them thrive and realise their strengths. I quickly saw how much effort—and financial cost—it takes for families to access the right resources and support.
Over the years, I have worked in learning support at privileged schools in Cape Town. In these roles, I walked alongside learners, parents, and teachers to ensure every child’s unique needs were recognised and met. My work has included advocating for differentiated teaching strategies, sourcing appropriate resources, collaborating closely with staff and families, referring children to medical specialists or educational therapists, setting up assistive devices and tools, and registering learning concessions with the WCED. While this support changes lives, it also comes at a cost that many families in South Africa simply cannot afford.
What I came to realise is that while inclusive education is a right, in reality, the majority of South African learners do not have access to it. Our government’s White Paper 6 highlights the importance of inclusive education. Still, schools remain under-resourced, classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overwhelmed, and the necessary systems and finances to support neurodiverse learners are largely out of reach. As a result, too many children are left behind by our traditional education system—struggling, disengaging, and often never completing their schooling.
It was out of this reality that Unlock Learning South Africa was born. I want to utilise the knowledge, qualifications, and experience I have gained to bring it into under-resourced schools, ensuring that all children—not just the privileged few—can be accurately identified, supported, and set up for success.
I believe that when we unlock the potential of more children in South Africa, we are not just shaping successful learners, but building future leaders, professionals, and change-makers who will contribute to a stronger, better country for us all.
Merlaine Yeo
Passionate Teacher
The purpose of Unlock Learning South Africa is to support learners with Literacy difficulties or dyslexia within the South African education system through early identification, specialised intervention, and the delivery of an inclusive, empowering curriculum. Our goal is to ensure that learners with difficulties in Literacy or dyslexia can complete their education.
In achieving this, we not only empower learners but also contribute to the professional development of teachers by providing training, upskilling, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, our approach helps to ease the burden on teachers working in overcrowded classrooms with limited resources, thereby creating a more effective and supportive learning environment for all.
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