What is the SIAS policy in South Africa?
SIAS, the policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support, is South Africa's framework for identifying barriers to learning and planning support for individual learners. Teachers screen learners, record concerns and interventions, and refer to school-based and district-based support teams when needed. Implementation began in 2015 and supports the inclusive approach of Education White Paper 6.
What this means in practice
SIAS replaced a system where learners were often referred to special schools on the basis of a medical diagnosis. Instead, it focuses on the support a learner needs and starts with what the class teacher can do.
How SIAS works in practice
- Screening of all learners on admission and when concerns arise.
- Teacher identifies barriers and tries classroom interventions.
- Teacher records actions in the learner's support plan.
- School-based support team reviews and adds support.
- District-based support team provides specialist help or recommends placement.
- Parents are involved throughout.
Levels of support
Support is described as low, moderate or high intensity. Most learners' needs can be met in ordinary schools; moderate needs may be met in full-service schools; high-intensity needs may require special schools or specialist outreach.
Why it matters
SIAS puts the class teacher at the centre of support. Skills in observation, differentiation and record-keeping are therefore essential for every South African teacher.
Practical next steps
- Learn your school's SIAS forms.
- Observe and record barriers to learning.
- Try and record classroom interventions.
- Refer to the school-based support team if needed.
What to keep in mind
Check the Department of Basic Education for the current SIAS policy and forms.
Common follow-up questions
When did SIAS implementation begin?
A 2019 parliamentary briefing said implementation began in 2015.
Who completes SIAS forms?
Class teachers start the process, with school-based and district-based support teams adding to it.
Sources
Sources inform the explanation; examples are educational illustrations, not individual clinical advice. How these answers are prepared.