In South Africa, you don’t fail a grade simply because of failing a certain number of terms. Progression is based on your final year marks and whether you meet the DBE’s promotion requirements for your grade. However, consistently failing multiple terms (e.g., 3 or more) makes it difficult to recover in the final term and could lead to repeating the grade.
Below, we will elaborate further on how failing terms impacts your chances of passing a grade in South Africa.
Failing a Grade: The Real Deal
Here’s the truth: you don’t fail a term and repeat a grade. It’s all about your final year marks, so there’s still hope to catch up if you’re struggling halfway through the year. But let’s get real—certain rules will make or break your chances of moving up.
- Languages Are Non-Negotiable
- You must pass your Home Language with 50% or more. No excuses.
- Your First Additional Language? At least 40%, or you’re staying put.
- Mathematics Will Haunt You
- For Grades 7 to 9, you need at least 40% in Mathematics.
- Yes, even if you’re a Picasso in art or a scientist in natural sciences, failing maths alone can pull you down. Ouch.
- How Many Subjects Can You Flunk?
- Out of your 9 subjects, you need to pass at least 6.
- Fail 4 or more? That’s an automatic ticket to repeating the grade.
Does Failing a Term Mean You’re in Trouble?
Nope, not yet! You can fail terms 1, 2, or even 3 and still pass the grade if you pull up your socks for the final exams. Teachers like me track your progress throughout the year and, trust me, we see everything—whether you’re making an effort or just cruising.
If you’re falling behind, schools offer interventions like extra classes or holiday programmes. Use them. Don’t wait until November to ask, “Am I failing?”
But What About Maths?
I know maths isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some learners are amazing at creative subjects or tech, but maths trips them up. The DBE knows this too. That’s why in 2016, they introduced a temporary rule for Grades 7 to 9. If you score above 20% in maths but pass all your other subjects, you could still move up. This isn’t a free pass; it’s to stop learners from dropping out unnecessarily.
However, this rule only applied to certain years while the policy was under review, so don’t count on it being your backup plan forever.
How Repeating a Grade Works
If you fail the year, you repeat it. Simple as that. But here’s the thing: repeating doesn’t always fix the problem. Some learners lose confidence, skip school, or even drop out. That’s why we look at the bigger picture before holding anyone back.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re a learner reading this, stop stressing and start working. Ask your teacher for help, attend those extra lessons, and take every test seriously—especially the final ones. Parents, if you’re worried about your child’s progress, talk to us teachers early. We’re here to help. Let’s work together to avoid the stress of repeating a grade.
Remember, you don’t fail a term—you fail the year. And that only happens if you ignore all the chances we give you to turn things around. So get to work and let’s keep moving forward!
FAQs
What Happens If You Fail Term 1 and 2 in South Africa?
Failing Term 1 and Term 2 does not automatically mean you fail the grade. In South Africa, progression is based on final year marks and not individual terms. However, poor performance in early terms can impact your ability to meet the required end-of-year criteria.
What Happens If You Fail Term 1 and 2 in Grade 9?
In Grade 9, failing Term 1 and Term 2 does not guarantee failing the year. To pass, you must meet the end-of-year pass criteria:
- Home Language: At least 50%.
- First Additional Language: At least 40%.
- Mathematics: At least 40%.
- 6 out of 9 subjects must be passed overall.
Poor term marks mean you must improve significantly in Term 3 and 4 to pass the grade.
What Happens If You Fail 3 Terms in Grade 8?
If you fail three terms in Grade 8, you may still pass the grade if you meet the end-of-year pass requirements, which include:
- Home Language: 50% minimum.
- First Additional Language: 40% minimum.
- Mathematics: 40% minimum.
- Passing at least 6 out of 9 subjects.
Failing three terms makes it highly challenging, but strong final marks in Term 4 could still save your year.
If You Fail 3 Terms, Can You Still Pass in South Africa?
Yes, failing 3 terms does not automatically mean failing the grade. Your end-of-year marks are what determine promotion. If your final results meet the required subject pass marks, you can still pass the grade.
If You Fail Term 1, 2, and 3, Do You Still Pass?
Yes, it is possible to pass even after failing Term 1, 2, and 3 if you achieve the required marks in Term 4. The final grade results, which include assessments from all terms, must meet the DBE pass requirements for promotion:
- Home Language: 50%.
- First Additional Language: 40%.
- Mathematics: 40%.
- Passing at least 6 out of 9 subjects.
Strong performance in the final term is critical to recovering from earlier failures.