Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, joined by Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, hosted a much-anticipated Strategic Planning Lekgotla to engage various education senior officials on the strategic direction of the 7th Administration, under the Government of National Unity (GNU). The Lekgotla, which was co-facilitated by Deputy Minister Mhaule and Basic Education Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, took place at Diep in Die Berg in Pretoria from 11 to 12 September 2024.
The Lekgotla created an opportunity for the sector to reflect on the previous 2020-2025 planning period whilst drawing lessons for the five-year strategic plan in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration. The two-day Lekgotla further afforded various education stakeholders an opportunity to share valuable contributions towards enhancing quality-learning outcomes, despite major budget cuts encountered in the sector.
The engagement was attended by officials from the DBE; Provincial Education Departments (PEDs); the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME); the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; as well as representatives from teacher unions; and education entities such as the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and the South African Council for Educators (SACE), Umalusi and the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT).
Mr Mweli reminded participants about the Action Plan to 2024: Towards the realisation of Schooling 2030, which mandates the sector to ensure that the DBE keeps track in terms of achieving the social justice principles such as access, redress, equity, inclusivity, quality and efficiency. “Action Plan’s Goals 1 to 13 expect the DBE to improve learning outcomes in Language, Mathematics and Science as measured in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 12. We are still required to ensure full access to compulsory schooling; decrease grade repetition and retention; improve access to FET colleges; and improve the quality of Grade R,” he said.
Outlining the planning for the 7th Administration (2025-2030), Dr Thabo Mabogoane from the DPME, alerted the Lekgotla that the 2025-2030 strategic planning cycle marked the last five years for the country to contribute to the aspirations of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. “The 2025-2030 strategic planning cycle will commence on 1 April 2025 and end on 31 March 2030. “I therefore urge you to consider the District Development Model (DDM) in your quest towards improving quality learning and teaching in schools. The DDM is designed to encourage all spheres of Government to work collaboratively in servicing South African communities. The Basic Education Sector should embrace a multi-sectoral approach to address matters arising from scholar transport, teenage pregnancies, school violence, as well as drugs and substance abuse,” remarked Dr Mabogoane.
Prof Martin Gustafsson, Researcher from the DBE, said that the Lekgotla was successfully organised. He cautioned participants about progress and challenges encountered in the Sector. These included the strengthening of pre-schooling through the migration of ECD to basic education; a considerable qualitative improvement achieved by the South African schooling system; and the maximisation of access to Grade 12 attainment. “However, the skyrocketing unemployment rate and budget constraints combined with the growth in learner numbers remain a cause for concern”.
The DBE Ministry informed participants that the state of the economic crisis in South Africa pushes the sector to embrace a strategic approach in fulfilling its mandate. “Budget cuts should not be allowed to compromise quality learning and teaching in schools. “In our deliberation, we should ensure that our programmes have an added value in the development of young minds and the transformation of the education landscape in South Africa”.