Abstract
Since the commencement of the democratic state in 1994, the South African government has made efforts to address the inequalities in the education sector through policies aimed at promoting equal access and improving the quality of education for all. However, the legacy of apartheid still lingers, and challenges such as resource disparities, teacher shortages and educational inequalities persist. Corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives of corporates can play a vital role in supporting educational initiatives. This study investigated the impact of an investment bank's CSI on basic education using a single case study. The aim was to determine the impact of CSI initiatives on basic education and how the impact was achieved.
The research followed a qualitative method which was suitable for the objectives of the study. A sample of 22 participants, comprising the beneficiaries of the various educational initiatives and the programme managers, were interviewed. The participants selected possessed the relevant knowledge and perspectives related to the research question. Secondary data was also collected through online searches and all the collected data was analysed using the theme coding technique.
The analysis identified four key themes relating to the impact of educational CSI initiatives on the beneficiaries: improved Mathematics and Science matric results, reduced financial pressure, increased employability, and career progression. In analysing how the impact was achieved, ten themes were identified, including but not limited to teacher qualification/training, incentives/rewards, teaching and learning environment, financial assistance/support, and access to networks/mentoring.
The study suggests collaboration and engagement between the different stakeholders, in planning and executing educational initiatives. Furthermore, to assess the impact of CSI initiatives on education, relevant metrics and evaluation mechanisms with clear goals must be developed. The findings offer notable insights for CSI practitioners when designing impactful CSI educational initiatives.
Keywords: Corporate social investment, Basic education, South African Investment Bank, process tracing