South Africa’s education system is shaped by deep and persistent inequality. Many learners fall behind in foundational Maths early, and gaps widen over time - driven by large class sizes, uneven access to resources, and limited opportunities for individualised support. At the same time, teachers are expected to meet diverse learner needs without timely, practical data to guide instruction. This often results in low confidence, disengagement, and inconsistent Maths outcomes.
We created the Integrated Maths Programme (IMP) to respond directly to this reality - not as a standalone tool, but as a practical, scalable approach to improving teaching and learning across diverse contexts.
IMP was designed to address three critical gaps: the need for consistent, curriculum-aligned learner practice; the need for real-time, usable data to inform teaching; and the need for ongoing human support to translate insight into action.
By combining online tools, “warmware” (teacher and system support), and real-time, personalised data analytics, IMP enables teachers to identify gaps early, respond with targeted support, and track progress continuously. It also extends learning beyond the classroom, enabling families to support practice at home.
At its core is a simple belief:
all learners can succeed in Maths when teaching is informed, practice is consistent, and support is aligned across the system.
In practice the IMP connects learners, teachers, families & the wider education system through 3 integrated components.
Online tools provide structured, curriculum aligned Maths practice. Learners complete weekly activities with immediate feedback & opportunities to improve, both in class & through after school use. IMP is designed for low data usage & device neutrality, ensuring accessibility even in under resourced & device sharing environments. Progress is visible through individual learning portfolios, supporting motivation & mastery.
Real time data analytics make learner performance visible at all levels. Teachers use class & item level insights to identify misconceptions, group learners & provide targeted support. Schools track curriculum coverage & progress, while districts & provinces use aggregated data to monitor trends, prioritise underperforming schools & guide targeted interventions & planning.
Warmware ensures this data leads to action. Through training, coaching, Professional Learning Communities & Lead Practitioner networks, teachers & officials build the confidence & skills to interpret & apply data effectively. Teachers also build a digital training portfolio supporting ongoing development.
Parents can access simple progress insights, supporting consistent practice at home.
Together, these components create a continuous cycle of practice, feedback, insight, & action, driving improved teaching, stronger learner outcomes, & aligned, data informed support.
The Integrated Maths Programme (IMP) has scaled through deep integration within the public education system, with full provincial adoption in the Western Cape and growing use in several other provinces. It is currently used across hundreds of schools, reaching over 440,000 learners, 8,400 teachers, 900 schools, and 300 officials.
Its spread has been driven by demonstrated impact on teaching and learning, alongside strong partnerships with education departments. Schools adopt IMP because it supports daily classroom practice, while districts & the Western Cape province integrate it into planning, monitoring, and targeted support.
IMP has also spread through strong NGO partnerships and CSI funding, enabling adoption, sustained implementation, and scale across diverse and under-resourced school contexts.
Growth is sustained through warmware structures; including Lead Practitioner networks, Professional Learning Communities, and ongoing training -which enable peer learning and consistent use. Real-time dashboards provide visibility of progress, driving accountability and informed intervention.
IMP is used across diverse contexts - from well-resourced to under-resourced schools; enabled by its low-data, device-neutral design.
Recent expansion includes increased after-school use and parent engagement, strengthening learning beyond the classroom.
This system-aligned approach has enabled IMP to scale sustainably while deepening impact.
Green Shoots is deeply committed to listening, learning, & evolving with our beneficiaries. This has driven continuous innovation to improve accessibility, effectiveness, & impact across diverse school contexts.
To address device constraints & large class sizes, we introduced collaborative learner functionality, enabling 2–3 learners to complete Brain Quests together. Each learner is individually credited, with shared results reflected in their profiles & contributing to school-level data, ensuring that implementation efforts in resource-constrained schools are fully recognised, while strengthening peer learning & mastery.
In 2024, we introduced a structured learner motivation system through MCO badges, recognising both participation & achievement: from completing all activities (Explorer Elephant) to performance milestones such as Bronze Buffalo (60–74%), to Gold Giraffe (90%+) . This creates clear progression pathways that build motivation, persistence, & confidence.
In 2025, the MCO School Overview on GS Insights introduced a single, accessible view of key metrics, enabling SMTs to quickly interpret data & embed more regular, consistent data use in school-level planning & support.
In 2026, MCO@Home extended the model beyond the classroom, engaging parents & caregivers to support consistent practice outside school.
Together, these enhancements deepen IMP’s impact ensuring equitable access, meaningful data use, & sustained improvement improvement.
For South African schools/learners - you can register via www.gsed.co.za
For organisations wanting to use this solution for school/district/province clusters - please contact Jo Besford or Mark Swartz via admin@gsed.co.za
For organisations wanting to look at deploying this model in a different country -please contact Jo Besford or Mark Swartz via admin@gsed.co.za
