What does a CSTL school that provides material support look like?

A CSTL school makes sure that all children at risk because of poverty are not excluded from school or any teaching and learning activities, are not made to feel isolated or prejudiced because of their inability to pay school related costs, and are not pressured by their peers or parents to engage in risky behaviours or leave school to secure income for the family.

A CSTL school ensures that every child in need receives an appropriate package of material and related support to ensure they enrol, attend regularly, participate fully in all teaching and learning activities, and complete their schooling.

It is a school that recognises all the cost-related barriers, challenges and consequences for children living in poverty, and provides a network of support to prevent and overcome these by, inter alia:

1. Offering free and/or subsidised primary education
2. Offering subsidised schooling and/or education grants for pre-primary and secondary education
3. Not charging any top-up fees or additional costs for children who receive free or subsidised education or education grants
4. Providing additional material support to cover indirect costs that contribute to children’s exclusion, such as stationery, school uniforms, transport, extra-curricular activities and sanitary pads for girls
5. Making children, parents and communities aware of the value of keeping children in school for long-term family security and community development, and informing them of the different support programmes available for helping them with the costs of schooling or lost opportunity costs of keeping their children in school