The 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) reminded South Africans that we have entered a new chapter defined by a shared commitment to delivery, stability, and progress. In her response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SoNA in Parliament, Cape Town, on 18 February 2026, Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, said that “The President has correctly placed growth and jobs at the centre of the national agenda. But no country can grow without an education system that works. However, it houses our most precious assets, our children. Education is where productivity begins. It is where young people gain the skills and confidence to participate in a growing economy”.
The Minister added: “Since taking office, my focus has been clear: improving foundational literacy and numeracy in South Africa for our learners to progress throughout their schooling career with confidence and strong foundations. They will be able to take on gateway subjects that respond to the needs of our economy. To achieve this, we have been unrelenting in investing in expanding Early Childhood Development (ECD); supporting teachers; strengthening accountability; and ensuring schools are safe spaces for teaching and learning”.
The Minister then proceeded to list the highlights on progress made to illustrate that the strategic reorientation of the Basic Education System is now irreversible. The Class of 2025 achieved the highest matric pass rate in history at 88% with over 60% bachelor passes from no fee schools.
Last year, the DBE set an ambitious target through the Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive to register 10,000 ECD centres by 31 December 2025; reaching that target by September 2025 and closing the year with over 13,300 registered centres. This means over 1.3 million children have access to good nutrition, foundational learning, and safe places.
R10 billion has been set aside over the next three years to support ECD, increasing the subsidy from R17 to R24 per child per day; enabling and additional 150,000 children to gain access to this subsidy. The Department is also supporting ECD Centres with colouring books, educational toys, and skills upliftment. The ECD Nutrition Programme pilot will ensure that children do not get stunted before they turn five.
The R500 (R496) million Outcomes-Based Fund has been established to create over 115,000 new ECD spaces across three of our rural provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Limpopo – the largest Early Childhood Care and Education fund of its kind, globally.
In concluding her response, Minister Gwarube said that “We are working closely with MECs to strengthen delivery, and each province is required to produce financial recovery plans to protect the classroom from budgetary pressures. At the same time, we have opened doors to the private sector. Education is a national investment in our future. If we get the basics right, reading, writing, counting, safe schools, supported teachers, and accountable governance, we will build the human capital that makes growth possible and restores dignity to millions of our people”.