The 2012 Annual National Assessment was a massive undertaking, written by over seven million learners. Learner performance in the Foundation Phase (Grades 1, 2 and 3) was encouraging and there was progress in the Intermediate Phase (Grade 4, 5 and 6). For the first time, in 2012, the Department assessed Grade 9s to enable the Department to have a benchmark through which they could report progress or lack thereof in this phase.