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Education

Builders vs Breakers: Shaping South Africa's Future Through Education

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, presented the 2025/26 Budget Vote Speech, outlining the government's strategy to strengthen South Africa's education system. The theme "Builders vs Breakers" emphasizes the importance of focusing on education as a key driver for the country's future. The Minister highlighted the progress made in the past year, including the expansion of access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD), strengthening of foundational literacy and numeracy, and the introduction of the Children's Amendment Bill.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government has committed to five key priorities: expanding access to quality ECD, strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, advancing inclusive education, supporting teacher training and professional management, and improving school infrastructure, safety, and learner well-being.
  • The Minister has undertaken a national Listening and Learning Tour, visiting over 50 schools across all provinces and engaging with leaders and school communities.
  • The strategic shift to improve foundational learning places a focus on expanding access to quality ECD and early-grade literacy and numeracy.
  • The Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme and teacher development efforts are being augmented to prioritize Foundation Phase teaching, aligned to the focus on literacy and numeracy.
  • Quality teaching is the greatest enabler of quality learning outcomes, and the government is auditing all training and professional development offerings for teachers to strengthen their skills.
  • The Minister has highlighted the need for additional funding for compulsory Grade R, as required by the BELA Act, and is seeking additional funding from the National Treasury to ensure universal access.
  • The National Education and Training Council will be established to advise the Minister on matters including school resourcing, teacher workloads, and progression and promotion requirements.
  • The DBE receives a total budget of over R35 billion, an increase of over 8% from last year, with resources focused on pressing priorities, including ECD, literacy, and teacher development.

Statistics:

  • 8 in 10 children in South Africa cannot read for meaning by Grade 4.
  • 97% of sanitation projects under the SAFE initiative have been completed.
  • 13.5 million learners depend on the school nutrition program every day.
  • R35 billion is allocated to the DBE, an increase of over 8% from last year.
  • R1.7 billion is allocated to the ECD Conditional Grant, including R230 million for ECD nutrition pilots and R162 million for ECD infrastructure.
  • R4.6 billion is allocated to Curriculum Policy Support and Monitoring.
  • R1.2 billion is allocated to the Workbook Programme to provide quality learning materials from Grades R to 9.

Sources:

  • Speech by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube 2025/26 Budget Vote Speech
  • National Assembly, South Africa
  • Department of Basic Education, South Africa
  • Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act)

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