EDUCATION NEWS - For years, the focus in early education has been on whether children are ready for school. But as Grade R becomes part of South Africa’s compulsory schooling framework, another question is becoming increasingly important: are schools ready for the child?

Grade R is often seen as a stepping stone to Grade 1, with an emphasis on recognising letters and numbers, following instructions and developing early language and numeracy skills.

These foundations remain important, but children also need opportunities to develop confidence, curiosity, communication, problem-solving skills and the ability to persevere when learning becomes challenging.

“Education should never simply be about preparing a child for the next grade. It must prepare young people to think, adapt and contribute meaningfully to the world around them,” says Sizwe Nxasana, Group CEO of Sifiso Learning Group and founder of Future Nation Schools.

Quality matters from the beginning

The question of quality has taken on greater significance following the incorporation of Grade R into South Africa’s compulsory schooling framework through the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.

A Department of Basic Education evaluation found that attending Grade R had a positive effect on later language and mathematics performance, although the impact differed between schools.

For Nxasana, the findings highlight the importance of considering what children experience in the classroom from the beginning of their formal education.

“Grade R is where we can begin nurturing those capabilities. Children are naturally curious. The challenge for education is to build on that curiosity as they move into more structured learning, rather than gradually teaching them to wait for the right answer,” he says.

The foundations developed in the early years are also becoming increasingly important as technology and artificial intelligence change the way people work, communicate and access information.

Preparing children for a changing world

The foundations developed in the early years are also becoming increasingly important as technology and artificial intelligence change the way people work, communicate and access information.

Schools cannot predict every career that today’s Grade R learners will eventually enter. They can, however, help children develop the ability to learn, adapt, ask questions and apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations.

“We cannot predict every career that will exist or every challenge this generation will have to solve,” says Nxasana. “What we can do is develop young people who know how to learn, who are confident enough to question and who can use what they know to solve problems.”

Future Nation Schools says its approach combines the South African CAPS curriculum with Project-Based Learning and technology, while developing foundational academic skills alongside curiosity, communication and problem-solving.

The shift towards compulsory Grade R places renewed attention on the quality of children’s first formal year of schooling – and on whether that year does more than prepare them for the next classroom.

Choosing the right start

As the 2027 school year approaches, parents considering Grade R are being encouraged to look beyond whether a school can prepare their child for Grade 1.

The learning environment, teaching approach and values of a school can all influence a child's early experience of formal education.

Future Nation Schools’ “Start Right, Start Now” campaign encourages parents considering Grade R for 2027 to explore these aspects when making their choice.

The school will host an Open Day on 17 October 2026 at its Fleurhof and Lyndhurst campuses in Johannesburg, where parents can learn more about its Grade R approach.

The shift towards compulsory Grade R places renewed attention on the quality of children’s first formal year of schooling – and on whether that year does more than prepare them for the next classroom.

For young learners, it can be the beginning of how they come to understand learning itself.

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