A study that followed the same group of children from the start of Grade R to the end of Grade 3 in public primary schools in Cape Town found that large gaps existed in literacy between children at poorer schools, which charged no or low fees (up to R850 a year), and mid-fee schools that charged R11,500 a year or more.
The children at mid-fee schools outperformed those from poorer schools, with 92% reaching Grade 3 reading benchmarks, according to the study, known as Roots and Shoots. In poorer schools, less than half the children reached these benchmarks.
Inequalities in learning outcomes that existed when children started school persisted as they fell behind while moving through the grades. This indicates that expanding access to Early Childhood Development is essential, but not enough on its own to ensure that children reach required reading levels by the end of the foundation phase. Improvements in teaching and learning in the early grades are also required.