In order to guide and coordinate research undertaken in the basic education sector the DBE has drafted a research agenda for the medium-term period 2024-2029. The agenda sets out the main research questions which are priorities for the Department, and the sector as a whole for the next five years.

The agenda was formulated through a consultation process with branch heads within the Department; researchers from Higher Education Institutions; donor organisations; other departments such as National Treasury and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; and other education stakeholders. Following a similar consultative process, the research agenda will be updated every five years.

The agenda provides thematic areas, the main and sub-research questions as well as examples of DBE studies on the same.

There is a plethora of sector-specific research commissioned and conducted within the DBE that has previously not been in the public domain. This repository serves as a mechanism to make this information available. It contains sector-specific research that has been commissioned and conducted within the DBE. There are 120 reports that have been categorised into 12 themes, dating from 1996 to 2019. The full title of the report, institution, year of publication, and as abstract are provided. The pdf of the report can also be downloaded.

The repository will be updated annually.

The purpose of the research protocols and processes is to provide guidance to researchers on the procedures to be followed when conducting research involving DBE officials, programmes for which the DBE is directly responsible, or national-scale studies. Research requests may include interviews with DBE officials or requests for departmental data and other information.

The Research Protocols outline the application process, approval criteria, ethical considerations, available datasets, and other requirements for submitting a research request.

The DBE does not grant permission for research conducted in schools, districts, or Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). Researchers intending to conduct research at these institutions must submit their applications directly to the relevant PED, and the contact details of the relevant PED officials responsible for processing research requests are provided below. Similarly, the DBE does not grant permission for research conducted in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Researchers intending to conduct research in ECD centres should refer to the ECD Research Guidelines, available under Research in Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres below.

In the drive to improve educational outcomes and child well-being in South Africa—especially within a context of limited resources—effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is essential. Guided by the National Education Policy Act (NEPA) of 1996, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) plays a pivotal role in setting policy and overseeing implementation through Provincial Education Departments.
This Practice Note supports government programme managers and external practitioners in designing and implementing a robust M&E Framework tailored to the South African basic education sector. It outlines practical strategies, tools, and processes for systematically monitoring programmes and evaluating their impact against defined objectives

The Guidance on Research in Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres has been developed to assist researchers who intend to conduct studies involving ECD centres, including privately operated crèches and early learning programmes. The document provides clarity on the role of the Department of Basic Education in relation to these research requests and outlines the legal and ethical responsibilities that researchers are expected to observe when conducting research involving young children.