Media Advisory – Why are so many SA children leaving the early grades unable to read or do basic arithmetic?

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Press Release

Stellenbosch, Monday 17 August 2026 – As South Africa grapples with an early-grade literacy and numeracy crisis, HSRC Press, in partnership with the Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) at Stellenbosch University, invites members of the media to the launch of a book titled: School Foundations: The Role of Initial Teacher Education in South African Primary Schooling – a compelling investigation into South Africa’s initial teacher education system.

The launch will take place at Stellenbosch University on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, from 12h30 to 14h00.

Drawing on years of research, authors Nick Taylor and Irene Pampallis trace the roots of the country’s early-grade literacy and numeracy crisis back to how foundation and intermediate phase teachers are selected, trained, and prepared for the classroom.

The book interrogates key questions – Why are so many South African children leaving the early grades unable to read or do basic arithmetic? And what does this reveal about how we train their teachers?

At the heart of the book is a hard truth about equity: the gap in how literacy and numeracy are taught in schools serving poor children versus wealthier ones, and how that gap begins long before a teacher ever enters a classroom.

With close to half of South Africa’s public-school teachers expected to leave the profession by 2030, this book could not be timelier. The book offers a bold, integrated set of recommendations for teacher educators, policymakers, regulators, and funders – a genuine call to action for rebuilding the foundations of primary schooling.

Be part of the discussion with authors Nick Taylor and Irene Pampallis, plus reflections from RESEP researchers on teacher education policy. Copies of the book will be available at the event. Alternatively, visit https://hsrcpress.ac.za/books/ to access the HSRC Press online catalogue.

ENDS.

Details of the event:

Date: 18 August 2026

Time: 12h30–14h00

Venue: University of Stellenbosch, 2nd floor in the Schumann Building, Stellenbosch.

Online Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/390174794405705?p=BRgtwFDBwIZY55IZWQ

Meeting ID: 390 174 794 405 705

Passcode: 8cY2ip9M

For media enquiries, please contact Adziliwi Nematandani: Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za

Join the Conversation:

#BasicEducation #Literacy #Numeracy

Notes to the editor

About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Established in 1968, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is South Africa’s statutory research agency and the largest dedicated social science and humanities research institute on the African continent. The HSRC generates evidence and insights that inform public policy, support development and improve lives. Through high-quality research, strategic partnerships and research capacity development, the Council contributes to evidence-informed decision-making in South Africa, Africa and globally.

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