The DBE hosted a significant event on 3 July 2025, to launch two key reports, namely the Synthesis Report and the Implementation Guideline, as part of its long-standing work to improve early grade reading in South Africa. The reports are the result of more than a decade of research led by the Research Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation (RCME) Directorate, in collaboration with universities, NGOs and international donor organisations.

This work stems from the Early Grade Reading Studies (EGRS), a series of large-scale Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) that investigated effective strategies for teaching reading in the foundation phase. The DBE’s RCME Directorate has helped to build a solid evidence base on what types early grade reading interventions work and how best to implement them. Until now, however, the lessons from these studies had not been brought together in a single, comprehensive document.

The launch forms part of the Department’s collaboration with the What Works Hub for Global Education (WWHGE), which began in 2023. Through this partnership, South Africa is recognised as a key evidence-generating country with a strong focus on education in the early grades.

Dr Stephen Taylor, Director of the RCME Directorate, explained: “Today we are releasing two new reports, the Synthesis Report, which brings together lessons from over 10 years of studies on how to improve reading and the Implementation Guidelines, which offer practical guidance to provinces, NGOs, and other partners on how to support the teaching of reading more effectively”.

Dr Nompumelelo Nyathi-Mohohlwane, Deputy Director, added: “This is the culmination of many years of work. The Implementation Guidelines provide clear steps on how decisions were made, including details such as teacher training schedules and dosage, helping implementers understand the reasoning behind each element. We are excited to share these tools with colleagues from across the sector.”

Also introduced at the event was an updated Costing Tool, based on the DBE’s previous 2020 version. The new tool includes ten implementation options with revised unit costs and allows users to adjust assumptions and project costs up to 2030.

The launch was attended by stakeholders from six provinces, DBE Directorates, NGOs and funders, and it reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to using evidence-based approaches to improve foundational learning outcomes.

It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity during Mandela Month