The DBE conducted a monitoring and support visit to the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE) on 28 October 2025, as part of the 2025/26 financial year monitoring cycle for the Cuban Specialists Programme. Mr Terence Khala, Acting Director for Communication and Research, led the DBE delegation.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the implementation and impact of the Cuban Specialists Programme in the province. This was done through observation of teaching methodologies, sharing best practice, and strengthening collaboration between the DBE, the FSDoE, and the Cuban Specialists. The school visit was conducted at Relebeletse Primary School and was followed by a teacher development workshop on ICT integration in teaching and learning of Grades 6 and 7 Mathematics at Heide Primary School. The information gathered during the visit will contribute to reporting to the Presidency (Monitoring and Evaluation), National Treasury, and the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education.
Mr Ngwanatau Mathiba from the MST, Curriculum Innovation, and E-Learning Directorate, in his presentation, provided background information on the bilateral agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Cuba. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as health, engineering, and education. Within the education sector, this partnership focuses on deploying Cuban Specialists to support South Africa in enhancing the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) subjects.
As part of this collaboration, 17 Cuban Specialists are currently deployed across five provinces and with one being stationed at the DBE, under the MST Directorate. Their distribution is as follows: Eastern Cape: 4 Specialists, Free State: 4 Specialists, Mpumalanga: 4 Specialists, Gauteng: 2 Specialists, Limpopo: 2 Specialists, and 1 Specialist at the DBE in Pretoria. The Cuban Specialists in the Free State Province have been working in South Africa since 2019, providing technical expertise and teacher training support in MST subjects.
The Cuban Specialists currently deployed in the Free State Province to assist with Mathematics in the Primary Schools are: Mr Anibal Sauna Pino, Free State Head office; Mr Armando Mayeta Joglar, Motheo District (Bloemfontein); Mr Rigoberto Avila Perez, Thabo Mofutsanyana District (Bethlehem); and Mr Edandys Negrin Sarduy, Lejweleputswa District (Welkom).
The Cuban Specialists Programme plays a crucial role in strengthening the capacity of South African teachers in MST subjects. In line with the bilateral agreement, Cuban Specialists do not teach learners directly but train teachers to improve content delivery, methodology, and understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts. This partnership supports South Africa’s long-term goal of improving learner outcomes and increasing the number of learners participating and excelling in Mathematics and Science, thereby contributing to the country’s National Development Plan (NDP) targets. The programme also seeks to address the persistent methodological gaps in Mathematics teaching and aims to “break the 60% ceiling” in national Mathematics performance, enabling more learners to pursue STEM-related careers.
The DBE visit to the Free State Province underscores the Department’s commitment to strengthening MST education through international collaboration. The Cuban Specialists Programme continues to serve as a vital intervention in improving teaching quality, enhancing learner participation, and fostering a culture of scientific excellence across South African schools.