Metro East Focus Schools Project - Baseline Data (2025)
Part of the Project
Baseline Data for Four Project Schools
Baseline data was collected from four of the five schools. One school was unavailable, but we may still have an opportunity to gather data from there.
A random sample of 16 children was selected from each of the four schools, representing approximately 10% of the total learner population at the project schools.
The Test of Basic Concepts Knowledge was administered as a group test by the Basic Concepts Foundation at each school.
- Majority in the Weak Range: A significant proportion (approximately 58%) of Grade 1 learners across the project schools fall into the “weak” category (scores 11–17). This suggests that most learners are not yet adequately prepared for school learning.
- Few Strong Performers: Only a small minority (about 8%) achieved “strong” scores, indicating that very few children are fully ready for school demands in terms of basic concepts.
Implication for Intervention:
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Over 60% of Grade 1 learners need support to strengthen their basic concept knowledge.The Basic Concepts Programme (BCP) is well-suited to address this by enhancing learner performance and teacher capacity.
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Targeted BCP support can help struggling learners build foundational skills while advancing average learners.
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Strategic implementation will improve school preparedness in Grade R and Grade 1, ensuring a strong academic foundation for all.
