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) ...

The implementation in South Africa of a compulsory Grade R year has the potential to boost access to quality education for thousands of children, allowing them to build strong foundations that will ...

The integration of Grade R into the formal schooling system must be approached with caution, as the demands for specific qualifications among Grade R teachers have the potential to disrupt learning.

The Department of Basic Education has revealed that 7,294 unqualified Grade R practitioners are currently employed in public schools across all nine provinces in South Africa, and that only 2,121 of ...