Ramaphosa emphasises urgent need for early childhood development

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the urgent need for early childhood development education in addressing the various challenges faced by children in the sector.

In 2021, an international reading literacy study showed that more than 80% of grade 4 learners in South Africa could not read for meaning in any language, including their home language.

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South Africa also ranked low in a recently published study on trends in international mathematics and science, which surveys capabilities in Grades 4 and 8.

Addressing stakeholders at the 10th annual Basic Education Lekgotla in Boksburg, Gauteng, the President said government must prioritise tackling these challenges and highlighting the importance of education at an early stage.

"Not having mastered basic skills in reading and maths at the foundation level sets the tone for how a learner will perform in high school and beyond. So correcting these shortcomings is the most urgent of tasks."