The Primary Years Band Reference Group (PYBRG) exists to provide advice to SACSA Executive on SACSA Framework issues. They also consider matters such as learner wellbeing and literacy and numeracy.

The term ‘Primary Years’ relates to school years three, four and five.

The group investigates and provides direction to the SACSA Steering Committee to support the needs of primary year educators and learners. It contributes to the creation of sustainable partnerships that will support the needs and raise the profile of primary years.

A National Curriculum Forum was held in November 2008 and attended representatives from the committee, who was also invited to consult on Shaping and Framing papers for subjects including English, Maths, Science and History. Members of the group commented on assessment and reporting guidelines for preschools and schools, and also gave some suggestions to SACSA on what needs to be retained in the National Curriculum:

• ‘Other’ learning areas (especially arts, social skills etc)
• Higher order thinking—critical thinking
• Flexibility around local/contextual content
• Cross curriculum perspectives
• Constructivism

Issues concerning the group in 2009 and the future will centre around continuing to develop the National Curriculum and it’s impact on Primary education.