Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, participated at the 12th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting held in Brazil, on 5 June 2025. Mr Vusi Mavimbela, Ambassador of South Africa to Brazil and Mr Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, also participated at the meeting.
Ahead of the 12th Education Ministers Meeting, Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, led a team of officials to the Senior Officials Meeting on 3 June 2025. The South African delegation included officials from the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training, as well as the South African Qualifications Authority.
South Africa joined Brazil, Russia, India and China and became a member of BRICS in 2010. In January 2024, BRICS was joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. As the BRICS President in 2025, Brazil curated the 2025 Education Agenda to focus its exchanges on increasing the percentage of secondary students enrolled in professional and technological education; consolidating the expansion of topics and institutions involved in the BRICS Network University; ethical and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence in education; as well as assessments in higher education as a pillar for cross-border recognition.
Upon conclusion of the discussions, Ministers adopted the Joint Declaration of the 12th Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Education, committing to cooperation in the areas of Artificial Intelligence in basic education, as well as assessments in higher education and cross border recognition of qualifications. The BRICS Education Ministers further adopted the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance Charter, and the Protocol on the accession of the Republic of Indonesia to the BRICS Network University memorandum of understanding.
On the margins of the 12th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting held in Brazil, Minister Gwarube held bilateral talks with the Minister of Education of Brazil, Mr Camilo Santana. Ministers discussed various areas of mutual interest for cooperation, including mitigation of poverty barriers to education, early childhood development, technical and vocational education, and teacher development. Ministers agreed to establish formal cooperation in these areas. Ministers further agreed to continue cooperation on the G20 2025 Education Working Group under the South African Presidency, and the Global School Meals Coalition that Brazil co-chairs.
Brazil convened various thematic engagements on the side-lines of the BRICS Meetings of Ministers and Senior Officials. These included a meeting of the TVET Cooperation Alliance, a key structure within BRICS, which was initiated to foster collaboration in the TVET sector amongst BRICS countries; and to promote sharing of information, resources and best practices. Brazil further hosted the TVET Seminar for exchanges on professional and technological education as a strategy for social inclusion, national development and the employability of graduates from professional and technological education.
The South African delegation also participated on a technical visit to the Riacho Fundo Campus of the Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB). The campus is one of the ten campuses of the IFB in the Federal District and stands out for its strong focus on Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure. Additionally, the delegation attended a visit to SENAI Taguatinga, a TVET institution dedicated to promoting the professional training of workers and supporting technological research to maintain the competitiveness of Brazilian industry on a global scale. SENAI’s focus includes professional education, innovation, and technology. The campus fosters development of educational technologies by supporting start-ups, entrepreneurs, educators, and investors through programmes that offer mentorship and strategic networking opportunities. Delegations were introduced to the work of these TVET institutions and were provided with opportunities to engage with students and lecturers.