Cape Town – Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has officially launched South Africa’s first national early grade reading survey, an initiative aimed at strengthening literacy development and improving learning outcomes in the foundation phase.
According to a statement released by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS) is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of reading abilities among learners in Grades 1 to 3 across all eleven official languages.
The department said the new tool will help establish national reading benchmarks and identify learning gaps that hinder progress in literacy.
“The Funda Uphumelele National Survey marks a historic moment for South Africa’s education system,” Minister Gwarube said. “For the first time, we will have a clear national picture of how children are learning to read in their home languages. This is not just about testing — it’s about changing how we support teaching and learning.”
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says a survey has found that learners who are taught in their home languages perform better than those who are not. She says African languages are not a hindrance to literacy, adding that more efforts should be put into teaching in home… pic.twitter.com/n59nCc0a6I
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 11, 2025
As stated by the Department of Basic Education, the survey forms part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen accountability and evidence-based planning within the school system. “The survey is not an end in itself,” the department noted. “It is a tool that will allow us to make informed decisions and guide teachers to implement targeted support for learners who are struggling.”
Minister Gwarube stressed that reading is the foundation of all learning, saying: “We cannot achieve meaningful education reform without ensuring that every child learns to read with understanding by the age of ten. That is the cornerstone of our vision for quality education.”
The department added that the Funda Uphumelele National Survey would help the government monitor progress in reading outcomes over time, allowing for better policy alignment and targeted interventions in schools most in need of support.
The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, will today launch the Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS) at the Department of Basic Education, a landmark initiative providing South Africa’s first comprehensive overview of early grade reading outcomes across all 11… pic.twitter.com/Qr5ZTRDAPM
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) November 10, 2025
“As government, we remain committed to ensuring that every learner, regardless of their background or the language they speak, receives the support needed to build strong literacy skills early in their schooling journey,” the department said.
The launch of the national reading survey represents one of the key milestones in the Department of Basic Education’s continued efforts to strengthen foundational learning and ensure that all children are equipped with the literacy skills necessary to thrive academically and beyond.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
