Social Media Post #162: Twenty Years of the BCP

Then. Now. Next.

Twenty years ago, the Basic Concepts Programme was simply a doctoral research project exploring an important question:

Could a short-term intervention help young children from disadvantaged communities develop the concepts and thinking they need for learning?

One of the study's early conclusions suggested that it could—and that it was practical for teachers to implement in the South African context.

At the time, this was one research finding.

Looking back, it marked the beginning of a much longer journey.

Over the past twenty years, we've continued to test ideas in real classrooms, learn alongside teachers, refine our thinking through practice, and deepen our understanding of mediated learning and concept development.

This new series isn't about celebrating twenty years of success. It's about sharing the journey—from the questions that started it all, through what we've learned, to where we believe education needs to go next.

We hope you'll join us as we look back, learn forward, and continue building thinking.

Looking back. Learning forward.