The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa has moved swiftly to debunk rampant rumors stating the introduction of a Grade 13 for students following their matric year. The misleading information, which circulated online, sparked fears among students and parents alike about the future of the country’s education system.
Various social media posts, particularly from TikTok and Facebook, erroneously claimed schools would add another grade beyond Grade 12 starting from January 2026. Posts, such as one from the Facebook page titled Life After Matric, stated outright, "the matric class of 2025 will be doing Grade 13 next year."
These claims, which humorously poked fun at high school struggles, were taken seriously by many, forcing the DBE to issue clarifying statements. "Please be wary of fake news! There are no plans to add #Grade13 to the South African schooling system," said the department via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. This remark was aimed at cautioning individuals against sharing unverified information to drive engagement on social media platforms.
Gauteng, one of South Africa’s provinces, has faced distinctive confusion due to the viral speculation, captivating internet users and creating unnecessary concern. The humor intended behind the joke seemed to get lost amid the chatter. The department reassured citizens, “Official announcements by the Department of Basic Education are published on the DBE's official communication platforms.”
A particularly notable figure contributing to the spread of misinformation was TikToker known as @garfieldzars, who shared content claiming, “High school no longer ends in Grade 12. It now finishes in Grade 13.” Following the backlash and DBE's refutation, @garfieldzars later posted, clarifying, “I know there is no Grade 13 coming. I just made the video because I thought it was funny. Obviously, there isn’t going to be a Grade 13. I am not an idiot.”
Despite this clarification, the dangerous ripple effect of misinformation highlighted important concerns about how digital platforms contribute to the spread of false narratives. The Department urged the public to be vigilant about disinformation, remarking, “There is always disinformation online and we ask people to exercise caution when consuming news.”
This episode isn't isolated—just last week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced new initiatives to introduce KiSwahili and Mandarin as foreign language options within the province's public school curriculum. This effort, showcasing the increasing emphasis on multilingual education, ironically contrasts the absurdity surrounding the Grade 13 rumors.
Lesufi expressed at the Unisa International Mother Language Day event last week, “Children must learn new languages.” His announcement was expected to be formalized during his forthcoming state of the province address, indicating a progressive shift toward inclusive education reforms.
What remains clear is the DBE's commitment to dismiss fake news and promote accurate information. With the proliferation of social media, the responsibility falls upon individuals to verify the authenticity of such claims before sharing them, ensuring misinformation does not distract from substantial educational advancements within the country.
While the Grade 13 rumor can elicit chuckles, the broader importance of media literacy and digital accountability must not be overlooked. The DBE continues to caution the community to rely on trustworthy sources for updates related to education reforms and announcements.