Isdale, K., Reddy, V., Winnaar, L., Zuze, L., (2016) Smooth, staggered or stopped? Educational transitions in the South African Youth Panel Study.

The South African Youth Panel Study (SAYPS) followed Grade 9 learners who participated in TIMSS 2011 over four consecutive years, in order to explore the educational transitions of young people. The study found that: South African learners follow one of four educational pathways. Forty-seven per cent follow a smooth pathway, where they progress through secondary school without interruption. A further 40% follow a staggered pathway where their advancement is marked by at least one interruption. An additional 7% remains stuck in grade 9 or 10 and a final 7% leave school shortly after Grade 9 and do not return.