This is the Consumer Studies CAPS Document (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) for the Further Education and Training Phase, Grades 10-12, issued by the South African Department of Basic Education. It sets out what must be taught, learnt and assessed in Consumer Studies across Grades 10, 11 and 12, and is relevant for the 2026 and 2027 school years. The subject covers the consumer, food and nutrition, design elements and principles, fibres and fabrics, clothing, housing and entrepreneurship, together with a practical small-scale production component.
The following document, Consumer Studies CAPS Document Grades 10-12.pdf, is the full document.
CAPS Document Brief
Consumer Studies CAPS Document Grades 10-12 kavo-012
Consumer Studies teaches learners about responsible and informed consumer behaviour in respect of food, clothing, housing, furnishings and household equipment, aiming to help them make informed decisions and use resources optimally to improve human well-being. Its theory topics are the consumer, food and nutrition, design elements and principles, fibres and fabrics, clothing, housing and entrepreneurship, and schools choose one practical option from food, clothing, soft furnishing, knitting and crocheting, or patchwork quilting by hand.
The document runs to 74 pages and is organised into four sections. Section 1 introduces the CAPS framework in general, Section 2 introduces the subject Consumer Studies, its topics and specific aims, Section 3 sets out the content per grade and term, and Section 4, the largest part of the document, covers assessment including the practical assessment task.
Learners are expected to understand consumer rights, responsibilities and protection policies, evaluate food, clothing, furniture and appliance outlets, and apply design elements and principles when choosing clothing and furnishings. The subject also develops skills in personal financial planning, nutrition and food hygiene, and in small-scale production, entrepreneurship and marketing of quality products.
Grade
10-12
Subject
Consumer Studies
Phase
Further Education and Training (FET)
Curriculum
South African (CAPS)
School Years
2026 and 2027