Overview of the Country
Background:
Official name: South Africa 1
Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial) 1
Location: Southern Africa 2
Official language: English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, Siswati, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda and Xitsonga 1
National languages: 1 (Setswana in addition to other spoken languages) 1
Population: 2,359,609 (2022) 2
GDP: 377.78 Billion US$ (2023) 3
GNI per capita, PPP (current international) $15,630 (2023) 4
Membership of Regional Economic Community (REC): 5
Additional Resources:
Sources:
Education Priorities, Policy and Strategy References
The six priorities identified by the Council of Education Ministers in 2020: 1
- Foundational skills of numeracy and literacy, especially reading.
- Immediate implementation of a curriculum with skills and competencies for a changing world, with the emphasis being on the Three Stream Model, entrepreneurship education, focus schools, coding and robotics, and the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
- Decisive action on quality and efficiency through the implementation of standardised assessments to reduce failure, repetition, and drop-out rates, and the introduction of the General Education Certificate.
- Two years of Early Childhood Development (ECD) before Grade 1, and the migration of education services for 0 to 4 year olds from Social Development to Basic Education.
- An infrastructure development plan focussing on delivery and regular maintenance, with a proper sense of costs and financing.
- Work with Sport and Recreation, Arts and Culture, Health, and the South African Police Services to teach and promote social cohesion, health and school safety.
Policy and Strategy References
Revised strategic plan 2020-2025
- Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). (2021). Revised Strategic Plan 2020-2025. South Africa
- South Africa National Statement of Commitment
National Development Plan 2030
- National Planning Commission, The Presidency Republic of South Africa. (n.d). National Development Plan 2030. Our future - make it work.
- Policies related to access to School, Management, Funding, Curriculum and Assessment in Basic Education
- Department of Basic Education. (2020). Action Plan to 2024: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030. South Africa
- Department of Higher Education and Training. (2013). White Paper for Post-School Education and Training of 2013. Building an expanded, effective and integrated post-school system. South Africa
National plan for post-school education and training
- Department of Higher Education and Training Pretoria., & Department of Higher Education and Training. (2023). National Plan for Post-School Education and Training 2021–2030. South Africa
- Government Pretoria, UNDP (2022). National Human Development Report: Harnessing the Employability of South Africa’s Youth. United Nations, South Africa
Early childhood education policy framework
- Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). (2021). Revised Strategic Plan 2020-2025. South Africa
- National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy
White Paper on science, technology and innovation
- Department Science and Technology. (2019). National Development Plan 2030: White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). South Africa
- National Mathematics Improvement Plan
- Mathematics integration into national development priorities
The National Qualifications Framework
ICT policy
- National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. (2016) Telecommunications and Postal Services
- Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
- Department of Communications & Digital Technologies, South Africa. (2020). 2020/25 Strategic Plan
- The GEMR South Africa Technology Profile
- Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Country Profile Report – South Africa - Study on the Use of ICT in Education and Remote Learning during Crises (Upcoming)
Inclusive education policy
- Department of Basic Education. (2014). Policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support
- 2019 South Africa Voluntary National Review: Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality. National Development Plan 2030
Gender policy
- The Office on the Status of Women. (n.d). South Africa's National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality
- Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
- Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. (n.d). Strategic Plan 2020/2021-2024/2025
- The African Union International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa (AU/CIEFFA)
Youth policy
- Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. (n.d). National Youth Policy 2020 – 2030
- Government Pretoria, UNDP (2022). National Human Development Report 2022. Harnessing the Employability of South Africa's Youth. United Nations South Africa.
- ILO Youth Country Briefs
Resilience plan
Climate change framework
- Department of Environmental Affairs. (2011). National Climate Change Response White Paper. Republic of South Africa.
- Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. (2019). National climate change adaptation strategy. Republic of South Africa
- GEMR Climate change communication and education
Non-State Actors in Education
Future Education Scenario
South African Schools Act 84 of 1996
Additional Resources:
- The National Education Collaboration Trust: A multi-stakeholder partnership to improve the education system
- UIS Country Profile
Sources:
Governance and Structure
Governance Structure for Education: 1
- The Department of Basic Education (DBE) deals with all schools from Grade R to Grade 12, including adult literacy programmes. The aim of the DBE is to develop, maintain and support a South African school education system for the 21st century.
- The Department of Higher Education and Training manages post-secondary education, including universities, vocational training, and adult education.
- South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) manages the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and ensures qualifications meet specific standards and are recognized nationally and internationally.
- Botswana Examinations Council manages, conducts examinations and assessments in general education and technical, vocational education and training, and awards certificates in respect of the said examinations and assessments.
Education System Structure: 2
- Early Childhood Development (ECD): includes education before Grade 1 aimed at children between 0 and 6 years old.
- Primary Education: Includes the foundation phase (grades R to 3) for children aged 5 to 9 years focusing on basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills and intermediate phase (grades 4-6) for children aged 9 to 12 years with continued emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and subjects like natural science and social studies.
- Secondary Education: divided into senior phase (grades 7-9) for students aged 12-15 years leading to General Education and Training Certificate and further education and training phase (grades 10-12) for students aged 15-18 years leading to the National Senior Certificate required for university or workforce entry.
- University Education: comprises public and private universities.
Additionally, it comprises TVET as well as special schools to cater for special needs and disabilities.
Additional Resources:
- The National Education Collaboration Trust: A multi-stakeholder partnership to improve the education system
- Non-State Actors in Education
- UIS Country Profile
Sources:
Access and Participation
School age population (2023) 1
- Pre-primary: 4,612,206
- Primary: 7,925,024
- Lower secondary: 2,214,153
- Upper secondary: 2,994,873
Gross enrolment ratio (2021) 1
- Pre-primary: no data found
- Primary: 98.12%
- Lower Secondary: 107.37%
- Upper secondary: 115.09%
Completion rates 1
- Primary: 97.77 % (2020)
- Lower Secondary: 93.69 % (2021)
- Upper Secondary: 63.21 (2021)
Out-of-School rate (2021): 1
- Primary school age: 7.24 %
- Lower secondary school age: 8.17%
- Upper secondary school age: 8.60 %
Additional Resources:
- UNESCO. (2024). Spotlight on basic education completion and foundational learning in South Africa.
- The World Inequality Database on Education (WIDE) for South Africa
Sources:
Learning Outcomes
Proportion of children and young people achieving at least a minimum proficiency level by sex 1
Reading
- In grades 2/3: No data found
- At the end of primary: No data found
- At the end of lower secondary: No data found
Mathematics
- In grades 2/3: No data found
- At the end of primary: No data found
- At the end of lower secondary: No data found
Learning achievement in reading (Early grades): 2021 2
- Minimum proficiency, PIRLS, 2021 (Overall average): 19%
- Medium proficiency, PIRLS, 2021 (Overall average): 9%
- High proficiency, PIRLS, 2021 (Overall average): 3%
Learning achievement in mathematics (Early grades): 2019 1
- Low proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 37%
- Minimum proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 16%
- Medium proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 5%
- High proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 1%
Learning achievement in mathematics (End of lower secondary) 1
- Low proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 41%
- Minimum proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 13%
- Medium proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 3%
- High proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 1%
Learning achievement in science (Early grades) 1
- Low proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 28%
- Minimum proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 14%
- Medium proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 6%
- High proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 2%
Learning achievement in science (End of lower secondary) 1
- Low proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 36%
- Minimum proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 15%
- Medium proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 5%
- High proficiency, TIMSS, 2019 (Overall average): 1%
Share of children not able to read and understand an age-appropriate text by age 10, adjusted for the out-of-school children: 51% 2
Additional Resources:
- Mathematics Teaching and Learning Framework : Mathematics for Understanding
- Competency-Based Learning Programme
- MICS Data
Sources:
Teaching
Percentage of qualified teachers according to the national standards: 1
- Pre-primary: no data found
- Primary school: no data found
- Lower secondary: no data found
-
Upper secondary: no data found
Percentage of trained teachers according to the national standards: 1
- Pre-primary: no data found
- Primary school: no data found
- Lower secondary: no data found
- Upper secondary: no data found
Additional Resources:
- South African Council for Educators
- UNESCO – IICBA South Africa Education Country Brief
- Competency-Based Learning Programme
- South African Council for Educators
Sources:
School Facilities
School infrastructure and facilities / Electricity 1
- Primary Education: no data found
- Lower Secondary Education: no data found
- Upper Secondary Education: no data found
School infrastructure and facilities / Single‐sex basic sanitation facilities 1
- Primary Education: no data found
- Lower Secondary Education: no data found
- Upper Secondary Education: no data found
Additional Resources:
Sources:
TVET / TVSD
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-64 years old, (2022). 1
- Both sexes: 15.87 %
- Male: 15.61 %
- Female: 16.12%
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-24 years old, (2022): 1
- Both sexes: 55.45%
- Male: 54.98%
- Female: 55.91%
Proportion of 15- to 24-year-olds enrolled in vocational education, (2021) 1
- Both sexes: 4.67 %
- Male: 3.67 %
- Female: 5.70 %
Share of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET): 24 % (2023) 2
- Male: 32.5 %
- Female: 35.5 %
Number of people 15-35 years old: 21,765,289 (2024) of whom: 3
- Employed: 7,102,014 people (32.6%)
- Unemployed: 3,697,923 people (17%)
- Inactive: 4,283,409 people (19.7%)
- Student: 6,679,768 people (30.7%)
Additional Resources:
- UNDP South Africa, Government Pretoria. (2023). National Human Development Report 2022: Harnessing the Employability of South Africa’s Youth
- African Skills Portal for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (ASPYEE) - TVET Country Profile
- UNEVOC TVET Country Profile
Sources:
Higher Education
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes: 25.36 % (2021) 1
- Male: 19.34%
- Female: 31.55%
South Africa’s public universities: 26 2
- Register of Private Higher Education Institutions (Registered Institutions): 106
Higher Education Accreditation Body
Additional Resources:
- Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA (ADEA). Continental Mapping of Higher Education and Scientific Research. (upcoming).
- Council of Higher Education South Africa
Sources:
Equity and Inclusion
Gender Parity Index (2022) 1
- Gross enrolment ratio, primary: 0.98
- Gross enrolment ratio, lower secondary: 1.01
- Gross enrolment ratio, upper secondary: 1.15
Adjusted Gender Parity Index (GPIA) gross enrolment ratio, tertiary: 1.39 (2021) 1
Proportion of schools with adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities (2021) 1
- Primary Education: no data found
- Lower secondary: no data found
- Upper secondary: no data found
Additional Resources:
- Ministry of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
- Rural Education Access Programme: Enhancing Educational Access and Retention
- Evidence for Gender and Education Resource for South Africa
Sources:
Education Financing
Government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP: 6.60% (2023) 1
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure: 18.49 % (2021) 1
Additional Resources:
Sources:
Literacy
Literacy rate by age group: (2021) 1
- 15+ years: 90.00%
- 25-64 years: 91.27%
- 65+ years: 59.14%
Literacy rate by sex: (2021) 1
- Males: 90.68%
- Females: 89.37%
Additional Resources:
- The National Reading Barometer project
- Award-winning literacy programme featured in UIL's LitBase : Literacy and Community Development Programme, South Africa
Sources:
Educational Technology
Proportion of schools with access to internet for pedagogical purposes: 1
- Lower Secondary Education: no data found
- Upper Secondary Education: no data found
Proportion of secondary schools with access to computers for pedagogical purposes: (2021) 1
- Lower Secondary Education: no data found
- Upper Secondary Education: no data found
Additional Resources:
- ADEA ICT4E Botswana Country Report (upcoming)
- The GEMR South Africa Technology Profile