Western Cape Education Department
School curriculum, Grades R to 12
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) contain the national curriculum for
Grades 1 to 12 in public schools in South Africa.
Education authorities are introducing the CAPS over three years, as follows:
- 2012: Grades 1 to 3, and Grade 10
- 2013: Grades 4 to 6, and Grade 11
- 2014: Grades 7 to 9, and Grade 12
Features of the CAPS include the following:
- Greater specification of content
- Detailed teaching schedules
- New content in some cases
Major changes have included:
- Greater focus on a second language in Grade 1
- Reducing the number of subjects in Grades 4 to 6 from eight to six
- Greater emphasis on geometry in Mathematics in Grades 10 to 12
Click on the following to view the curriculum for each education phase:
Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3)
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6)
Senior Phase (Grades 7 to 9)
Further Education and Training (FET) Phase (Grades 10 to 12