Grade R may lead to further inequality, says ReSEP researchers
The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has released a major new study undertaken by ReSEP, a social policy research unit within the Department of Economics, on the effect the introduction of Grade R in most schools has had on learning outcomes in subsequent grades. It is widely accepted that early learning programmes are the most appropriate interventions to overcome the disadvantages faced by children from poor home backgrounds. But the Report found that "…the impact of Grade R in South Africa is small and there is virtually no measurable impact for the poorest three school quintiles, while there are some impacts for the higher quintile schools. Thus, instead of reducing inequalities, Grade R further extends the advantage of more affluent schools. Grade R impacts convert to only 12 days of normal learning gains in maths and 50 days in home language (for a school year of 200 days)". The full report is available here.
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BER Weekly
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BER Weekly
7 Feb 2025 A sensible SONA as Trump tangoes with tariffs and targets SAIt was a week filled with geopolitical upheavals. The fallout from President Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill continued to unfold. Just as tensions between the ANC and DA within the GNU appeared to be shifting toward constructive dialogue, US President Donald Trump chimed in on Sunday on social media. Meanwhile, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa...
Read the full issue