- Thrive by 5 report shows only 42% of four-year-olds are ready to learn.
- Minister Siviwe Gwarube calls for stronger investment in early education.
- Boys lagging behind most, needing urgent support.
Minister Sounds Alarm on Early Learning Crisis
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has expressed deep concern after a new report revealed that many South African children are not ready to start formal schooling by the age of four.
The Thrive by 5 study, conducted in 2024 with over 5,000 four-year-olds, found that only 42% of children were school-ready. The rest struggled with basic skills such as following instructions, raising red flags about the future of the country’s education system.
“We are concerned because this means we need to strengthen learning at the earliest stages. Very few children are prepared for reading and learning by Grade 1 if we don’t act now,” said Minister Gwarube during the report launch in Sandton.
Grade R Spending Questioned
The Minister noted that government spends around R10 billion annually on Grade R, but without strong foundations, that investment risks being wasted.
She stressed the importance of early parental involvement, encouraging parents to read books to their children and create home environments that nurture learning.
“Too many people say we must only focus on matric, but that is a mistake. If the foundation is weak, it is far harder for learners to succeed in higher grades,” she added.
Boys Struggling the Most
The research also made clear that boys require immediate assistance because they are lagging behind girls. Minister Gwarube stressed that intervention initiatives shouldn’t exclude boys.
“This is worrying, and it means we cannot leave boys behind in our plans. They need targeted help so that they can catch up,” she said.
Teacher Pay and Support Issues
The findings also pointed to another challenge: in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Grade R teachers are not being paid adequately, despite playing a critical role in shaping early education.
Teachers and unions have long complained about pay disparities and the lack of permanent posts for Grade R educators. The Minister acknowledged that fixing this issue requires collaboration with different stakeholders.