What is the current education system in South Africa?

Schooling is divided into two stages: the General Education and Training (GET) stage which includes Grades R to 9 and the Further Education and Training (FET) stage which includes Grades 10 to 12. Schooling in South Africa is compulsory for learners aged 7 to 16 years.

What are the biggest issues facing education in South Africa today?

The South African education system, characterised by crumbling infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and relatively poor educational outcomes, is perpetuating inequality and as a result failing too many of its children, with the poor hardest hit according to a new report published by Amnesty International today.

What is the single biggest issue facing education today?

Many public school teachers also cite student attitudes, such as apathy and disrespect for teachers, as a major problem facing schools today. A poll from the National Center for Education Statistics cited that problems like apathy, tardiness, disrespect and absenteeism posed significant challenges for teachers.

How does South Africa rank in education?

In a league table of education systems drawn up in 2015 by the OECD club of mainly rich countries, South Africa ranks 75th out of 76. South Africa has the most unequal school system in the world, says Nic Spaull of the University of Stellenbosch.

What is the state of Education in South Africa?

(Photo: Amnesty International) Titled Broken and Unequal: The State of Education in South Africa, the report delves into the issues that still confront public schools in the country, bearing in mind the historical context of the education system.

How long is secondary school in South Africa?

Secondary Education: The Basics. Secondary education in South Africa is six years in duration (grades 7 to 12), and is divided into two phases, lower and upper secondary school. Lower secondary (also known as the “senior phase”) lasts through grade 9, and is mandatory.

How many children are in pre school in South Africa?

This notable progress has been recorded across the three components of basic education in early childhood development, primary and secondary education: The number of children under five attending an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre or pre-school has increased to one in three from one in ten since 2002. [1]

What are the problems with education in South Africa?

Infrastructure challenges in the two provinces include poorly maintained buildings that have never been renovated, with many of them dating back to the apartheid era. July High School, near Peddie, Eastern Cape —classroom in use. (Photo: Amnesty International)