Curriculum Management & Assessment
The strategic content of education in the Eastern Cape — from early learning to the National Senior Certificate.
Curriculum overview
The Curriculum Management & Assessment branch is the core delivery branch of the Department. It oversees curriculum implementation, examinations and assessment, teacher development, inclusive education, and learner development and social support services across all districts in the Eastern Cape.
This page is organised by the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) and by phase — from Early Childhood Development through to the National Senior Certificate — with supporting resources for educators, learners, and parents.
CAPS Implementation
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) define what is taught in every grade and subject. The Department supports schools and districts to implement CAPS consistently across the province.
- Introduction to CAPS
- Purpose of CAPS in South African schools
- Annual Teaching Plans by grade and subject
- Term-by-term curriculum pacing
- Provincial Implementation Strategy
- Role of districts and schools in implementation
Downloadable CAPS documents and teaching plans are being published per phase below. For urgent curriculum queries, contact the Curriculum Management & Assessment branch.
Foundation Phase (Grades R–3)
- CAPS Documents (Gr R–3)
- Annual Teaching Plans
- Curriculum Frameworks
- Assessment Guidelines
- Curriculum Pacing Documents
- Reading Strategy
- Mother-Tongue Instruction Programme
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6)
- CAPS Documents (Gr 4–6)
- Annual Teaching Plans
- Curriculum Pacing Documents
- Assessment Guidelines
- Subject Frameworks
- Reading Comprehension Resources
- Multilingual Learning Resources
- STEM Resources
- Research Project Guidelines
Senior Phase (Grades 7–9)
- CAPS Documents (Gr 7–9)
- Annual Teaching Plans
- Curriculum Pacing Documents
- Assessment Guidelines
- Subject Frameworks
- STEM Support Material
- Essay and transactional writing guides
- Literature Support
FET Phase (Grades 10–12)
The Further Education and Training phase culminates in the National Senior Certificate (NSC). Provincial academic priorities and a dedicated NSC preparation strategy support matric success.
- NSC preparation strategy
- Provincial academic priorities
- CAPS Documents (Gr 10–12)
- Annual Teaching Plans
- Subject Guidelines
- Curriculum Pacing Documents
- Assessment Guidelines
- Practical Assessment Guidelines
- NSC Examination Timetables
- Exam preparation tips
- PAT (Practical Assessment Task) Guidelines
- Recording and reporting templates
Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Registration of ECD Centres
- Requirements for registration
- Registration process
- Application forms
- Compliance checklist
- Funding requirements
Early Learning Support
- Early Learning Programme Guidelines
- Numeracy and literacy support
- Learning-through-play resources
eLearning & Digital Resources
The Eastern Cape established its first provincial eLearning Centre in 2024 — signalling the Department's commitment to integrating technology into teaching and learning. The Centre supports digital pedagogy, learner content delivery, and educator upskilling on digital tools.
Links to:
- YouTube Channel Studio
- Digital textbooks
- Coding & Robotics resources
Teacher Development
The Department supports educator development through the Provincial Teacher Development Institutes (PTDIs), continuing professional teacher development (CPTD), subject-advisor support, and structured mentorship.
- Workshops and training schedules
- Professional development opportunities
- Teacher toolkits
- Inclusive education support
Inclusive Education
The Department is committed to an inclusive education system that gives every learner equitable access to quality teaching and learning, in line with Education White Paper 6.
- Education White Paper 6
- ECDoE Inclusive Education Strategy
- Constitutional and policy mandate
- Guidelines for Full-Service Schools
- SIAS (Screening, Identification, Assessment & Support) forms and templates
- Inclusive lesson planning
- Referral forms
Assessment & Examinations
Official assessment instructions and examination guidelines are issued by the National and Provincial Examinations & Assessment unit, covering preparation, conduct, marking, and post-examination procedures for the National Senior Certificate and grade-level assessments.
- Study guides
- Past papers
- SBA (School-Based Assessment) guidelines
- Examination timetables
- Marking guidelines
- Moderation guidelines
- Assessment policies
Detailed examination timetables, subject papers, marking memoranda, and assessment circulars will be published here progressively.
