Understanding the transitional gap: a qualitative study on the decline in pass rates from Grade 7 to Grade 8 in Gauteng schools

This report presents the findings of a qualitative, multiple exploratory case study commissioned by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to investigate the substantial decline in learner pass rates between Grade 7 and Grade 8 across Gauteng schools. Administrative data indicated an urgent policy concern, with overall pass rates declining from approximately 77% in Grade 7 (2023) to around 29% in Grade 8 (Term 1, 2024), particularly in foundational subjects such as Mathematics and Languages, and with marked variation across districts. Notably, this decline has occurred despite the implementation of several provincial interventions aimed at improving learner performance in the Senior Phase, raising concerns about the adequacy of existing transition and support mechanisms.