Knysna’s future in focus: A KILT community roundup

At KILT, we believe that the strength of our town is directly linked to the strength of our schools. Our mission is to walk alongside learners, teachers, and the community to ensure that every person has the tools they need need to succeed. From the quiet corners of a new counselling room to the high-energy buzz of a LEGO robotics lab, the first quarter of 2026 has been a season of transformation at KILT’s partner schools in Knysna.

High-tech beginnings and tertiary transitions

We believe that a child’s education journey should be a seamless pathway from their first “hello” to their university graduation. To achieve this, KILT invests in the learner from their earliest school engagement until their tertiary education career is well under way.

• LEGO Robotics comes to primary schools: For the first time, we are trialing our LEGO Robotics and Coding Programme for younger learners, starting at Chris Nissen Primary. More than just building blocks, these children are exposed to logic, problem-solving, and the “magic” of how things work. This early exposure is vital; it feeds directly into our high school programmes, creating a technical foundation that will serve these students for a lifetime.

• The tertiary leap: Transitions can be daunting. Recently, 21 young people stepped into tertiary studies through our Tertiary Launch Programme. Prep starts early and continues until they’re settled in, from assistance with the National Benchmark Test in Grade 11 to dedicated mentorship in their first year of varsity, we ensure our students are supported when it counts and won’t have to navigate this path alone.

Leadership and life skills

Education isn’t just about marks; it’s about dignity and belonging, and the character and confidence of the young people leading our schools. At KILT, we prioritise holistic growth that extends beyond the textbook.

• Prefect camp at the coast: We recently supported Concordia Primary School with their Prefect Camp. Through beach-side team challenges and trust exercises led by our Life Skills Team,these young leaders practiced empathy and integrity, returning to school ready to shape a positive culture for their peers.

Creating spaces of belonging

Sometimes, the biggest shift happens in the physical environment. When a student feels held by their surroundings, they feel safe enough to learn.

• The art of ownership: At Knysna Secondary School, Grade 12 students turned an ordinary bathroom into a work of art. These murals are a quiet message to every child who walks in: You are respected here.
• Healing spaces: Our psycho-social team has been hard at work softening and preparing a new counselling room at one of our partner schools. This is a dedicated space for big feelings, quiet moments and healing – every detail has been considered to ensure children feel seen and safe.

The Back-2-School Stationery drive

The start of the school year can be heavy on families, with the weight of new expectations often accompanied by the worry of rising costs. Thanks to the incredible support from the community – including the learners at Oakhill School – we bundled and delivered over 200 stationery packs to our schools. It’s a practical, deeply human way to ensure every child starts the year with dignity.

Deep dive: Empowering Knysna’s educators

While our learners are busy coding and creating, their teachers are also levelling up. Earlier this year we hosted Professor Jonathan Jansen and Alison Scott for our “Class Fix 2026” workshop – a powerhouse session hosted by our Teacher Development team dedicated to supporting our MVPs – the teachers.

👉🏼 Read the full feature on the Class Fix 2026 workshop here