This is the Natural Sciences CAPS Document (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) for the Senior Phase, Grades 7-9, issued by the South African Department of Basic Education. It sets out what must be taught, learnt and assessed in Natural Sciences across Grades 7, 8 and 9, and is relevant for the 2026 and 2027 school years. The subject is organised into four knowledge strands: life and living, matter and materials, energy and change, and planet Earth and beyond.
The following document, Natural Sciences CAPS Document Grades 7-9.pdf, is the full document.
CAPS Document Brief
Natural Sciences CAPS Document Grades 7-9 kavo-185
Natural Sciences is defined in the document around three specific aims: doing science through investigations and practical skills, knowing subject content and making connections, and understanding the uses of science and indigenous knowledge in society. Content is organised into four knowledge strands taught each term: life and living, matter and materials, energy and change, and planet Earth and beyond.
The document runs to 100 pages and is organised into four sections. Section 1 introduces the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement and time allocations, Section 2 introduces Natural Sciences, its specific aims, process skills and resources, Section 3 sets out the Senior Phase content and concepts by term and grade, and Section 4 covers informal and formal assessment, recording, reporting and moderation.
The curriculum aims to help learners make sense of ideas about nature, ask questions and carry out investigations, analyse problems and evaluate solutions using practical process skills. It also aims to build a grasp of scientific, technological and environmental knowledge, and an understanding of how natural sciences and indigenous knowledge are applied in everyday life and society.
Grade
7-9
Subject
Natural Sciences
Phase
Senior Phase
Curriculum
South African (CAPS)
School Years
2026 and 2027