The Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching at Walter Sisulu University is a four-year initial professional teacher qualification delivered at both the Mthatha and Komani campuses. Specialising in Grades R to 3, the programme provides in-depth subject content knowledge, educational theory, and methodology alongside substantial practical school-based experience through workplace-integrated learning. It responds to South Africa's persistent shortage of well-prepared Foundation Phase teachers in the Eastern Cape — one of the country's most educationally underserved provinces — equipping graduates to lay the critical literacy and numeracy groundwork for the entire schooling journey. Life Orientation is included as a major teaching subject for this phase, and is therefore counted in the APS calculation.
Life Orientation: 60–69% (Level 5) — major requirement
IsiXhosa Home Language: 50–59% (Level 4)
English First Additional Language: 50–59% (Level 4)
Mathematics: 30–39% (Level 2) OR Mathematical Literacy: 50–59% (Level 4)
Any other two subjects totalling 8 APS
APS: 24
