OpenLeer Foundation

Educational technology forpublic benefit.

Open Leer Foundation advances education and access to knowledge through free artificial intelligence, open educational resources, research, technology and digital learning tools — built in South Africa for learners, educators and communities everywhere.

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We build.We research.We publish.We contribute.We protect.We make learning accessible.

Hardware for Education · A Foundation priority

Before you recycle it,
let it teach.

Give usable retired technology a new purpose. Help us build local learning infrastructure for schools, libraries and communities—starting with the hardware people already have.

Donate hardwareSponsor a nodeContribute expertise
Mission

Learning belongs to everyone. 

01Why we exist

Access to exceptionallearning support shouldnot depend on

where someone was born
which school they attend
where they live
what device they own
the quality of their internet connection
what their family can afford

Technology — and particularly artificial intelligence — creates an opportunity to make exceptional educational support dramatically more accessible. We build that access into the tools, knowledge and research we share.

02What we build

An educationaltechnology ecosystem.

We connect learning, knowledge, models and community. Each domain strengthens the next: research informs code, code connects datasets, and shared resources support educators.

Ecosystem map7 domains · 10 connectionsResearch 3Building 4Pebble · Buildingchat_bubblePebbleHUB · BUILDINGPebble KnowledgeBUILDINGPebble ModelsRESEARCHPebble BenchRESEARCHPebble ClassroomBUILDINGPebble LocalRESEARCHOpen WorkBUILDING
03What we believe

Eight beliefsthat shape the work.

01

Knowledge is a public good.

Knowledge becomes more valuable when people can access, understand and build upon it.

02

Learning belongs to everyone.

High-quality educational support should not be a luxury product.

03

Technology can expand access.

AI can make personalised educational support available at a scale that was previously impossible.

04

Free should mean free.

Fundamental educational support should not be artificially weakened to create paid learner tiers.

05

Africa should not be an afterthought.

We build from an African context from the beginning.

06

Teachers matter.

AI should support educators, parents and communities — not pretend to replace them.

07

Safety is part of the product.

Technology designed to teach and interact with children carries responsibility.

08

Openness accelerates progress.

Where privacy, licensing, safety and safeguarding allow it, useful educational technology and knowledge should be shared.

04Built in Africa

Built in Africa.Open to everyone.

We are building educational technology from an African context rather than treating Africa as a market technology is adapted for later. Our work begins in South Africa and Africa, but it is not limited to Africa.

connectivitymobile devicesaffordabilitylanguagescurriculaschoolscommunitiesteachersparentslocal infrastructureaccessibility
Illustration of learners and an educator sharing ideas in a South African learning space
05Research & Open Work

Knowledge growswhen it's shared.

Where privacy, licensing, safety and safeguarding allow it, useful educational technology and knowledge should be shared.

benchmarkResearch

Pebble Bench — evaluation and benchmarking for educational AI

datasetBuilding

Pebble Knowledge — curated educational knowledge and curriculum resources

codeResearch

Pebble Local — educational AI where cloud connectivity cannot be assumed

06Open by default

Public purpose.Public accountability.

Public benefit comes with public accountability. Our commitments cover governance, safeguarding, responsible AI and transparent funding. Ask us about our work and the principles behind it.

Our purpose
Educational technology for public benefit.
Governance and accountability
Ask about our organisation, governance and public commitments.
Safeguarding
Learners, families and trusted adults at the centre.
Responsible AI
Evaluate, explain and document the systems we build.
Support our work
Discuss funding and partnership opportunities.
Website privacy
Understand how this website handles information.

Education is somethingwe build together.

Learners, educators, researchers, developers, universities and funders each have a part in this. Tell us where you fit.

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