If you need this year’s free Department of Basic Education (DBE) Rainbow workbooks as PDFs, start on the official education.gov.za indexes below. This page is a download hub for parents and teachers, not a full pedagogy guide.
CAPS123 does not host the workbook files. Always download from education.gov.za.
Official download links (confirm live)
| What you need | Official page |
|---|---|
| Workbooks hub (all years + FAQs) | Rainbow / LTSM Workbooks hub |
| 2026 Terms 1 & 2 (Workbook 1) | 2026 Workbooks Terms 1 & 2/2026Workbooks1.aspx) |
| 2026 Terms 3 & 4 (Workbook 2) | 2026 Workbooks Terms 3 & 4/2026WorkbooksTerm3and4.aspx) |
Prior-year indexes (for example 2025) remain linked from the hub if you still need last year’s books. Prefer the 2026 Term 3–4 URL above (2026WorkbooksTerm3and4.aspx) when the hub points there, do not rely on alternate aliases that may share a confusing page title.
Update this bookmark each January when DBE publishes the next year’s indexes on the hub.
What you will find
- Grades 1–9: two books per year.Workbook 1 (roughly January–June) and Workbook 2 (July–December), with literacy/language, numeracy/mathematics and life skills sets that vary by grade and language.
- Grade R: four books (one per term).
- Books are free, CAPS-aligned, and meant as practice worksheetsthey do not replace textbooks.
- Learners keep and own the printed books when schools issue them.
How to pick the right grade and file
- 1. Open the 2026 Terms 1–2 or Terms 3–4 index for the half-year you need.
- 2. Find your grade row (R through 9).
- 3. Choose the subject (for example Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, Life Skills) and the language of learning your child uses at school.
- 4. Download the PDF from the DBE link, save it with the grade and term in the filename so you can find it later.
- 5. If a link is broken, return to the Workbooks hub and use the current year’s buttons there.
Tip: Match the school’s language of learning and teaching. A Grade 3 Home Language Afrikaans book will not help a child whose class works in isiZulu Home Language, check the language column before you print a full pack.
Printed consignments still go to schools through official LTSM channels. Home downloads are for catch-up, homework support, or when a book was lost, not a substitute for school issue where the school has stock.
Related CAPS123 guides
- A guide to the DBE workbookswhat Rainbow books are (and are not) for parents and learners
- DBE workbooks teacher guideclassroom pacing and Rainbow use for teachers
Need help from DBE?
Call centre 0800 202 933 | callcentre@dbe.gov.za. Certification queries use a different desk (certification@dbe.gov.za, 012 357 4511/3).
Disclaimer
This article is an independent CAPS123 summary for parents and teachers. It is not an official DBE publication. Workbook indexes and PDF links can move.confirm on education.gov.za before you print or share files.