According to the ANC’s 2014 election manifesto posted on its website, in the next five years the ruling party would “work towards realising two years of compulsory pre-school education”.
Speaking at the launch of the ANC’s manifesto in Mbombela, President Jacob Zuma said there were plans to add another year to the school timetable, in addition to Grade R, which is already being phased in, according to media reports.
The government has been considering implementing an extra year of schooling after it was proposed by the National Development Plan, which states that two years of quality pre-school enrollment for four and five year olds be made compulsory before Grade 1.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union supports the plan but added that it was important to ensure that the necessary resources would be provided.
Nomusa Chembi, the union’s national media officer, said children were already starting school earlier, and the additional two years of schooling would not be a burden to them.
“If you consider the two years children spend in crèche they are already being introduced to education structures early on, but by formalising these years into the schooling system it allows them to receive a better education,” Chembi said.
She added that it was imperative to ensure that teachers were adequately trained to undertake these roles.
