Among issues under the spotlight heading into the 2026 school year is the implementation of a compulsory Grade R year in the foundation phase, in line with the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) ...

In a landmark move that could transform South Africa’s educational landscape, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared grade R compulsory for all children. This decision marks a significant shift in the ...

Almost 900 Eastern Cape grade R teachers will soon have permanent government jobs, pending adoption of the new budget later in November. The teachers, currently on annual contracts without benefits, ...

A recent Daily Maverick article (15 January 2026) on the stumbling blocks of compulsory Grade R highlights a painful truth: policy is moving faster than implementation, and children are paying the ...

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said Grade R practitioners will be formally integrated into the basic education system as educators once the provisions of Grade R in the Basic Education Laws ...

According to Stats SA's 2024 midyear population estimates, there are 1.1 million five-year-olds in the country. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has revealed that South Africa needs ...

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has announced that a record-breaking 164 565 on-time applications were received for Grade R, 1, and 8 placements in the 2026 academic year. This figure ...