Question NW2719 to the Minister of Basic Education
18 August 2015 - NW2719
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)(a) Whether she has found that it is acceptable to combine Grade R with Grades 1, 2 and/or 3 in multi-grade teaching environments and (b) on what basis her determination has been reached; (2) whether the post provisioning norms and standards will be altered to accommodate her determination; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- (a) It is not acceptable for schools to combine the Grade R class with Grades 1, 2, and 3. The recommendation that the Department of Basic Education is making to all schools that are delivering the curriculum through the multi-grade teaching model, is that the Grade R class should always be a stand-alone class.
(b) The Grade R prepares children to be ready for the primary school by developing their pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-numeracy skills. Children learn these skills through play. The real work of children in the Grade R class is predominantly characterised by play. Therefore, multi-grade primary schools should offer the Grade R class as a stand-alone class that will accord the children the opportunity to be introduced to formal schooling with ease and in a friendly and conducive environment.
2) There is no need to make a determination on Grade R as the Department does not encourage multi-grade schools to combine Grade R with other grades. The post provisioning norms provide for the posts in Grade R in terms of relevant weighting in line with the ideal maximum class size for Grade R.