Adult Education and Training (AET) in South Africa: Free Classes for Adults
Adult Education and Training (AET), previously known as ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training), provides free literacy, numeracy, and life skills education to adults who did not complete primary or secondary schooling. AET is offered at provincial AET centres across South Africa at no cost to learners. The programme allows adults to progress from basic literacy all the way to the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), which is equivalent to a Grade 9 pass.
What AET Covers
AET programmes are structured into four levels (Level 1 to Level 4). Each level corresponds to a phase of schooling:
Level 1 corresponds to Grade 1-3 (Foundation Phase) — literacy and basic numeracy.
Level 2 corresponds to Grade 4-6 (Intermediate Phase).
Level 3 corresponds to Grade 7-9 (Senior Phase) — functional literacy and numeracy.
Level 4 leads to the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), equivalent to Grade 9.
| AET Level | School Phase Equivalent | NQF Level |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Grades 1-3 | NQF Level 1 |
| Level 2 | Grades 4-6 | NQF Level 1 |
| Level 3 | Grades 7-9 | NQF Level 1 |
| Level 4 / GETC | Grade 9 equivalent | NQF Level 1 |
Who AET Is For
- Adults aged 16 and over who cannot read or write in any language
- Adults who left school before completing Grade 9
- Adults who wish to progress towards a matric qualification
- Domestic workers, farmworkers, and informal sector workers seeking literacy skills
- Parents who want to support their children's schooling
- Anyone seeking to improve basic numeracy and communication skills
How to Enrol in AET Classes
AET is offered at provincial AET centres, public schools (after hours), community halls, churches, and workplaces (through employer-funded programmes). Enrolment is free and open throughout the year.
- Contact your nearest provincial Department of Education office or visit www.education.gov.za to find the AET centre closest to you.
- Attend the centre and complete an intake assessment so that educators can place you at the correct level.
- Register at the centre — there is no fee for public AET centres.
- Attend classes (usually evenings or weekends to accommodate working adults).
- Write the relevant assessments or examinations to obtain your certificate at each level.
- Progress through levels at your own pace.
After AET: What Comes Next?
After completing AET Level 4 (GETC equivalent to Grade 9), learners can:
Progress to an NSC programme (Grade 10-12) to obtain a full matric. This can be done at a public school as an adult learner or through a TVET college.
Enrol in an N1-N3 programme at a TVET college using their GETC as a minimum entry requirement.
Apply for a learnership in their sector of work.
Apply for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) assessment to have their work experience formally recognised.
AET classes at public centres are free. Any provider charging fees for the basic AET programme at a government-funded centre is doing so unlawfully.
Workplace AET
Employers are encouraged (and in some cases required by SETA skills development levies) to provide AET to employees who lack basic education. Employers who fund AET for their employees can claim these costs as skills development expenditure.
The ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices) and other SETAs can assist employers in setting up workplace AET programmes. Contact www.etdpseta.org.za for more information.