The 2023 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla has given education stakeholders a mandate to review progress made by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in terms of improving the quality and efficiency of the sector and ensuring that shortfalls are identified to improve learning outcomes in schools. Early Childhood Development (ECD); the effective implementation of the Three Stream Model; Entrepreneurship; and the adoption of the District Development Model (DDM), were focal points of discussion during the 2023 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla.
The eighth annual Basic Education Sector Lekgotla took place at the Sandton Convention Centre, and virtually, from 26 to 28 January 2023, under the theme: “Equipping Learners with Knowledge and Skills for a Changing World Post the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
“The Lekgotla has grown from a line function to a national to an international event. These Makgotla assist us to reflect on the past year and initiate recommendations and an Action Plan to push through our comprehensive recovery plan on how the system is mitigating the impact of COVID-19 to recover learning losses. Furthermore, the Lekgotla will emerge with consensus on what will be done to rebuild the basic education sector for future pandemics and crises, whilst reflecting on education priorities for the sixth administration and the strengthening of the curriculum. Globalisation, changing demographics and technological advancements are some of the key driving forces of our current times, and they will continue to shape our future,” said Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, and added that the insights and critical strategies shared during the various presentations, should serve as a plan of action to turn the Basic Education Sector around.
The first session of the Lekgotla was opened by an invigorating address by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who reminded delegates about the importance of Basic Education. President Ramaphosa confirmed that, “basic education strengthens democracy, fights inequality and poverty; improve health and outcomes; and contributes significantly to fast-track economic growth”. He went on to say that, “through quality basic education, we will be able to place our country back on an economic growth trajectory and achieve a positive social development path that places the interest of our people first”.
The President’s speech was followed by well-structured and thought-provoking presentations by various academics. These included, amongst others, the Evolution of critical policies and programmes for improvements in the SA Basic Education Sector: Critical reflections on the kind of education system we are building by Dr Lubisi; the Kenyan Journey towards competency-based education by Mr Ongondo; Building resilient education systems to sustain the development of skills for the continent and beyond by Mr Nsengiyumva; Transforming Curriculum to Transform Education by Dr Marope; Enhancing systems and strategies to support the 21st Century skills in the classroom by Dr Schleicher; Equipping learners with skills for the changing world with competency-based curriculum in the context of UNESCO’s SDGs by Dr Chikunda; a combined presentation on the Role of social protection programmes in supporting education outcomes by Profs Cluver and Toska; and ECD Lessons from Finland, by the Ambassador for Education, Ms Sal. We wish to thank all the speakers for setting the scene of the 2023 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla so successfully. The DBE will provide a synoptic account of the deliberations from the five commissions, and the recommendations will be collated and made available on the DBE website.
In summary on the commission outcomes, it was agreed that, in a world that is continually changing, there needs to be an ongoing discussion in the sector on the relevance of curriculum. In addition, all curriculum reforms should be strengthened by research. Also, clearer statements on policy are required on the Three Stream Model and a solid Competency Framework. Closer collaboration is also required between experts from the education sector, post-school education and employer organisations.