As South Africa's 2026 school year begins, provincial education departments face significant hurdles in implementing compulsory Grade R, including unplaced learners and budget constraints from the Bela Act of 2024.
The introduction of compulsory Grade R under the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act of 2024 aims to enhance early learning access, but resource shortages pose risks to children's development. Provincial departments must reallocate existing funds, as no specific national budget allocation exists, amid ongoing fiscal pressures.
In the Western Cape, the Education Department reports 2,743 unplaced Grade R applicants as of 13 January 2026, many late submissions. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond stated, “We are working through these as fast as possible,” noting the lack of Bela funding. Enrolment rose from 68,638 in 2015 to 75,463 in 2025 due to prior investments. A snap survey after 10 school days will clarify numbers, while officials engage schools to find spaces. The department added 175 classrooms recently to aid placements.
Parent Robyn Galiem, from Bellville, applied early to three nearby schools but faced rejections, prioritizing local residents. Her appeals failed, leaving her on unpaid leave. She highlighted the need for more schools, saying, “If I’m two kilometres away... I would assume that I’m also part of the houses that are in the area.”
Gauteng sees direct school placements with few complaints, per DA representative Sérgio dos Santos. The Equal Education Law Centre reports unplaced learners there and plans monitoring and possible litigation, as researcher Daniel Al-Naddaf noted: “We are already receiving clients… who individually have an entitlement to Grade R.” Assistance targets Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Gauteng.
Grade R has been curricular since 2002, with pre-compulsory enrolment over 80% in six provinces. Researcher Heleen Hofmeyr emphasized tight budgets: “Provinces are struggling and having to make really difficult decisions.” A November 2025 report estimates 200,000 more children need integration without support; some areas reprioritize transport funds. National Treasury pledged R870-million from April 2026, details pending.
Early childhood coordinator Tshepo Mantjé observed shifts to fee-free school Grade R, but schools lack readiness, ending early and straining aftercare at ECD centres.
