Debate grows over ending grade repetition for young learners

Proposals to end grade repetition for learners in grades one to three are dividing opinion, with some concerned about the impact of holding children back.

The debate about grade repetition has raged for years.

Education experts warn that age differences among young learners can have negative effects, while others say promoting a child before they are ready can be equally detrimental.

Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg, Mary Metcalfe, says that at this stage, the proposals are a long way from becoming a reality.

"It's not a firm, implementable, soon-to-be implemented proposal."

Supporters argue that repeating grades can harm a child’s self-esteem, particularly when older learners are kept in classes with much younger children.

Others warn that allowing learners to progress before they are ready and without support could leave some childrenstruggling academically.

Metcalfe says both arguments are valid.

"It's important that learners are in learning contexts that suit their needs.

"They need to be in classes that have appropriate material. They need to be in classes that are small enough for teachers to respond to their individual needs," she adds.

The debate is focused on grade repetition for young learners in grades one to three, the 'foundation phase', and that is key, says Metcalfe.

Currently, learners are allowed to repeat a school year, particularly in the early grades, and it has become common for children to redo grades one, two, or three.

"The South African system is you're only allowed to fail once in a phase, so only once in grades one, two and three, and you can only fail once in four, five and six"

However, each year, thousands of pupils are held back, and this is placing a heavy financial burden on the education system and contributing to overcrowded classrooms.

"If we were to decide on automatic progression, there would be huge benefits in terms of the cost of repetition, but there would need to be investments in making sure teachers have the resources required to cope with a very diverse group."

To listen to Metcalfe in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, use the audio player below: