This is the Dance 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 Dance Studies across Grades 10, 11 and 12, and is relevant for the 2026 and 2027 school years. The subject is built around three interrelated topics: dance performance, dance composition, and dance history and literacy, with African dance, classical ballet and contemporary dance as the three most popular dance majors in South Africa.
The following document, Dance Studies CAPS Document Grades 10-12.pdf, is the full document.
CAPS Document Brief
Dance Studies CAPS Document Grades 10-12 kavo-013
Dance Studies has both a theoretical and a practical component, in which learners acquire specific dance capabilities to create, express and communicate through dance, contributing to an appreciation of dance and an understanding of professional practice. Its three broad topics are dance performance (60 percent of time), dance composition (20 percent) and dance history and literacy (20 percent).
The document runs to 58 pages and is organised into four sections. Section 1 introduces the CAPS framework in general, Section 2 introduces Dance Studies, its specific aims and overview of topics, Section 3 sets out term plans and content progression from Grade 10 to Grade 12, and Section 4 covers assessment in Dance Studies.
Learners are expected to develop the body as an instrument of expression, practise safe dance technique, style, form and performance capabilities in a chosen dance form, and be exposed to dances of different cultures. The subject also develops improvisation and problem-solving skills, the ability to create, produce and present choreography, and the ability to analyse, respond to and make judgements about dance.
Grade
10-12
Subject
Dance Studies
Phase
Further Education and Training (FET)
Curriculum
South African (CAPS)
School Years
2026 and 2027