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Curriculum information

An introduction to CAPS

The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) is not a new curriculum, but an amendment to the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12 Subject Statements. It therefore still follows the requirements of the same process and procedure as the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12 (2002).

Each Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) is a streamlined, essential document necessary for teaching and learning in all subjects from Grade R to 12.

  • Each subject now has one CAPS document that provides details of what needs to be taught and assessed on a grade-by-grade basis.
  • The CAPS are more content-based, prescribing specific content and describing when it needs to be taught.
  • The Foundations for Learning principles are embodied in the CAPS, with the emphasis on Languages and Mathematics.
  • English as a First Additional Language will be taught from Grade 1.
  • Intermediate Phase subjects are reduced to six. Technology is combined with Natural Sciences, and Arts and Culture is combined with Life Orientation.
  • In the Senior Phase, Arts and Culture is replaced with Creative Arts.
  • Economic and Management Sciences is taught from Grade 7.
  • Annual National Assessments (ANAs) will take place in Grades 3, 6 and 9.
The CAPS introduction timeline is:
  • 2012: Grade 1–3 and 10
  • 2013: Grade 4–6 and 11
  • 2014: Grade 7–9 and 12.

The importance of textbooks in quality learning and teaching has been re-emphasised. In addition to high-quality, CAPS compliant textbooks, Oxford University Press Southern Africa offers more posters, flashcards, big books, study guides, atlases and age-appropriate dictionaries to supplement the core learning and teaching material, and support teachers to implement CAPS in their classroom with confidence.

Follow these links to the full CAPS documents:

Visit the Teaching Resources page to download a wealth of free CAPS resources, including Oxford Teacher Toolkits for selected Intermediate, Senior and FET Phase subjects.

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