Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, chaired the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) in Pretoria from 14 to 15 May 2026, bringing together Education MECs, Heads of Department and senior officials of the DBE from national and provincial departments.

“Over these two days, we will focus on key issues affecting the basic education sector, including foundational learning; Mathematics participation and performance; teacher administrative burden; Early Childhood Development; teacher support; infrastructure; learner admissions; inclusive education; and sector funding,” said Minister Gwarube.

“This is an important platform for honest engagement, stronger coordination and collective responsibility across national and provincial government. Our discussions today must therefore be practical. We must not only describe the problems but agree on what must change. This Council must lead from the front. We have a collective responsibility to the system. Provinces must implement with discipline and urgency,” the Minister added.

Together, the Basic Education Sector must ensure that every rand, every post, every classroom, every textbook and every support programme is directed toward improving learning outcomes and ensuring that every learner has access to quality education.