BEd Foundation Phase Teaching at University of Pretoria

The Foundation Phase is the first phase of formal schooling in South Africa.

The aim of the BEd Foundation Phase program at the NWU (NQF Level 7), is to develop teachers who can demonstrate general educational principles as well as focused knowledge, skills, and competencies for teaching in Grade R to Grade Three.

Minimum admission requirements

The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who are in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.

As soon as candidates are admitted to the BEd degree, they will be informed that they must register at the University in January of the following year.

It is in the interest of prospective students, in particular, those who need financial support and/ or placement in a residence, to apply as soon as possible.

English will be the only language of teaching and learning (in lectures, tutorials, and assessments) for all academic modules in the undergraduate programs, except in cases where the modules or programs require a language other than English.

Any modules providing professional preparation that requires separate English and Afrikaans classes will be identified and will be explicitly listed as such.

Modules for the BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching) that are language context-specific, namely English, Afrikaans, and indigenous African languages, will continue to be offered in current language contexts due to the University’s recognition of the need for home language teaching in the foundation environment, as specified in the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications

The teaching practice modules will allow English and Afrikaans assessments according to the language of tuition of the schools in which the
teaching practice was performed.

Duration: 4 years

Career Opportunities

Teachers and training officials in pre-primary or primary schools

What expected of a foundation phase teacher?

Foundation Phase School Teachers have the exciting and rewarding task of teaching children the foundations of reading, writing, and literacy. They are also responsible for helping children to develop their thinking skills.

They teach from Grade R (reception) through to Grade 3.

What subjects do foundation phase teachers teach?

At Foundation Phase, the learner’s subjects are Languages (Home and First Additional), Mathematics, and Life Skills.

These three subject areas prepare the learners for the rest of their school career, and it is essential to get teaching right at this level.

Foundation Phase Teacher Salary in South Africa

The average salary for a Foundation Phase Teacher in SA is R 221 940 gross per year (R 18 500 gross per month), which is 21% lower than South Africa’s national average salary.

Salary Range: a Foundation Phase Teacher (FPT) can expect an average starting salary of R 138 260.