Hybrid Learning Centers

Hybrid learning centers

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a significant orphan crisis, with millions of children having lost one or both parents due to factors such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, and other causes. These children often face numerous challenges, including poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and a heightened risk of abuse and neglect. The region has the highest percentage of orphaned children globally, with estimates ranging from 52 to 55 million.

To address this issue, WRBLO aims to provide proposed Hybrid Learning Centres (HLCs) as a comprehensive solution. We plan to establish an HLC in every region of each country where we operate.

Download the design intent

The HLC Mission

The Hybrid Learning Centres (HLCs) aim to provide an Africa-centric curriculum focused on education for the very poor, orphans, and children in need. From toddlers to mature students, the HLC will help children to focus on exploring what “their Passions/Interests” are, helping them to figure out what they are good at and what they are not, enabling them to choose things they like and refuse things that you don’t, from an informed perspective of reading to expand their database of knowledge, to broaden their thinking and understanding, and also their vision about what the world is, where they would like to fit in.

Academic Studies

Academic studies are the bedrock of the HLC, encompassing a wide range of disciplines focused on knowledge acquisition and intellectual development, primarily within the context of formal education, which involves in-depth study, research, and analysis of speciﬁc subjects, culminating in degrees or other certiﬁcations.

Digital Studies:

Using special methods, the HLC curriculum will mould the students’ critical examination of digital technologies and their impact on society, culture, and various disciplines; and encourage them to explore how digital tools and media shape our world, alongside the development of practical skills in digital literacy, design, and analysis.

Vocational Studies

HLC Vocational Studies focuses on practical, job-related skills and knowledge, preparing students for speciﬁc careers or trades, emphasising hands-on experience and real-world application of learned skills.

Practical Skill Development
Hands-on training:
Practical assessments

Blue Collar Employment Skills:

Developing real-world experiences, skills and knowledge directly relevant to trades.
Industry-speciﬁc knowledge:

Teaching the importance of technical expertise and the understanding required for speciﬁc industries and careers.

Agricultural Studies

HLC Agricultural studies will focus on enhancing food security, promoting sustainable practices, and improving livelihoods within the diverse agricultural systems, with an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by different agro-ecological zones, farming systems, and market dynamics, integrating social, economic, and environmental considerations to foster inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation.

Business

HLC Business Studies focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the continent’s diverse economic landscape. This includes examining the impact of factors such as limited access to finance, infrastructure gaps, and varying regulatory environments on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as exploring the potential for growth in sectors like agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital technology.

The concept design of the Hybrid Learning Centre (HLC) features:

Classrooms and workshops for both individual and group learning.
Small group learning spaces outside of the working classrooms.
Extensive farmland for arable and animal farming, nurturing and growing fruit and food-bearing trees, enabling HLCs to trade and be self-sufficient.
Indoor and outdoor spaces for agricultural learning, encompassing both practical and academic aspects.
A large auditorium that can be separated by dividers to create a combination of smaller spaces for worship/lectures/orchestral events/singing/performing arts.
Shared courtyards for group learning or play activity spaces.
A variety of skills-building workshops.
Open grounds to encourage physical education and sport as a career path (swimming, athletics, football, netball, basketball, etc.)