The KwaZulu-Natal education department is considering doing away with all combined schools and non-viable schools, it said on Tuesday.

"MEC Senzo Mchunu has observed that there are too many categories of schools in the province," spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said.

Mahlambi said the department's vision was to have two types of school --primary schools from Grade R to Grade Seven, and secondary schools from Grade Eight to Grade 12.

"This exercise has numerous sound educational benefits including the opportunity to offer a diversified curriculum in an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.

Currently there were too many categories of schools, with some starting from Grade R to Grade Four, some from Grade One to Grade Three, and others from Grade One to Seven.

"The second objective is to have well-organised schools in respect of primary and high school categories and improve on the quality of education," Mahlambi said.