An overview of the SA education system

An overview of the SA education system

Your child’s school life spans 13 years or grades, from grade 0, otherwise known as grade R or reception year, through to grade 12 or matric – the year of matriculation.  It is compulsory for all South African children to attend school from the age of seven (grade 1) to age 15, or the completion of grade 9.

Here’s how it is broken up:

It is compulsory for all South African children to attend school from the age of seven (grade 1) to age 15, or the completion of grade 9.

Here’s how it is broken up:

the foundation phase (grades 1 - 3)

the intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6)

the senior phase (grades 7 - 9)

Confused? We’re not surprised. This is because the structure of most schools in South Africa does not reflect these bands and phases! Most schools are either Primary Schools (grade R plus grades 1 to 7) or High Schools (grades 8 to 12).

Pre-Primary/Preschool

You can send your child to a preschool from age four up to seven years of age.

Public preschools are provided by some of the provincial departments of education but funding is limited. Most require top-up fees. There are also many independent preschools or crèches. They will teach your child literacy, numeracy and life skills.

The Centre for Early Childhood Development runs the Early Childhood Development Programme (ECD aimed at developing young children.

Primary School 

Your child will attend primary school from their reception year to grade 6. The reception year is optional, and children begin formal schooling in grade one (age 6 / 7).

You must enroll your child in a school between 1 August and 31 October of the preceding year.

A Grade R applicant must be four years turning five or older by 30 June the next year and an applicant for grade one must be five years and turning six or older by 30 June the next year.

Junior primary school usually lasts three years (age 7-10) where children are taught basic subjects such as reading and writing, mathematics, and usually a second language is introduced.

During senior primary school (age 10 to 12 years) in addition to maths and language skills, children learn history, geography, life skills and science as well as developing written and speaking skills in their second language.

High School

Secondary education is also divided into junior and senior phases. Students may study two or three languages in secondary school. Senior secondary school offers the chance for students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in various academic subjects to help them with further study or prepare them for their choice of career.

Grades 10 to 12 (which are optional years) can also include career orientated education and training in other Further Education and Training institutions such technical and community colleges.

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