Social media was recently flooded with posts claiming South Africa's education system would add an additional year, known as Grade 13, starting in 2026. These rumors gained traction, especially after popular TikToker @garfieldzar shared related content with his followers.
The Basic Education Department of South Africa moved swiftly to dismiss these claims as mere fake news. On February 22, 2025, the Department stated unequivocally, "Please be wary of fake news! There are no plans to add #Grade13 to the South African schooling system. Official announcements by the Department of Basic Education are published on the DBE's official communication platforms." This message serves as a reminder for the public to be vigilant about the content they consume online.
The TikToker @garfieldzar had initially sparked the speculation with his humorous take on the topic. He said, "High school no longer ends in Grade 12. It now finishes in Grade 13," leading his audience to believe there was credibility to the rumor. His post quickly went viral, racking up more than 760,000 views and drawing countless reactions from those surprised at the potential change to the educational system.
After realizing the stir created by his initial claim, @garfieldzar later posted a video to clarify his intentions. "I obviously 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. For there to be a Grade 13 next year, it would mean... there won't be any first-year students at any university," he amusingly pointed out, indicating the absurdity of the situation.
Despite the humorous nature of @garfieldzar’s subsequent clarification, the Basic Education Department expressed concern over the spread of misinformation. They underscored the importance of distinguishing between legitimate sources and those who aim to mislead the public, stating, "With misinformation and disinformation at an all-time high, it is important to tell the difference between legitimate sources of information and those who peddle lies to increase engagement on their pages." The department's response underlines the necessity of media literacy among online users.
This episode serves as a reminder of the repercussions of misinformation, especially when it relates to education and the future of students. The Basic Education Department continues to encourage individuals to rely on official announcements and verified information from credible sources, reinforcing their commitment to transparent communication with the public.
With social media serving as both a source of information and misinformation, users are urged to think critically about the content they encounter. While @garfieldzar's video was intended as entertainment, the underlying matter of factual accuracy remains of utmost importance when discussing topics as significant as national education policies.