The Department of Basic Education has published a “Report on the 2009 General Household Survey: Focus on Schooling”. It presents key findings on school associated matters as documented in the Household Survey 2002–2009.

Some of the key findings include:

• The number of children aged 0-4 who have access to pre-school education and care increased from 7% in 2002 to 30% in 2000.
• In 2009, close to 80% of 5 year olds attended an education institution.
• In 2009, 95% of 6 year olds attended an education institution.
• In 2009, 98% of 7-15 year old children attended an education institution and attendance of boys and girls was almost equal.
• Nationally, 83% of 16 to 18 year olds attended an educational institution in 2009.
• In 2009, 1,5% of 7-15 year olds were out of school. The number of out-of-school children has dropped from 4% in 2002 to 2% in 2009.
• Nationally, more female 16–18 year olds did not attend an education institution than their male counterparts.
• Reasons for non-attendance include: no money for fees, unable to perform at school, pregnancy, working at home, illness, disability, family commitments such as child minding and failed exams.
• 77% of learners walk to school and 2,5% take between 61 and 90 minutes to commute to school.
• In 2009, 19% of children experienced violence at schools, including corporal punishment and verbal abuse.
• Between July 2008 and July 2009, 71,364 learners fell pregnant.
• 48% of children attending schools indicated that they did not pay school fees.
• 58% f children attending school benefitted from a school nutrition programme.
• 12% of learners had been absent for a full week in the week prior to the survey being conducted. The reasons for absence include illness; need to care for someone at home, money for transport, weather, household chores and safety.
• In 2009, 6% of learners were orphans, compared to 3% in 2002.
• In 2009, 4% of children attending school had a disability.

WEB LINKS FOR THIS ARTICLE

Click here to view the report on the General Household Survey.