The DBE is in the process of modernising the South African School Administration and Management System (SA-SAMS) to improve its efficacy in terms of education data mining and processing. The Modernisation progress was unpacked during the SA-SAMS Test Pilot Onboarding Breakfast, which took place at Stonehaven-on Vaal in Sedibeng, Gauteng Province on 6 March 2026. The modernisation initiative has been supported by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and the New Leaders Foundation.

As part of the Pilot test, 12 primary schools in Sedibeng East Education District have been selected to become pioneers of the SA-SAMS Modernisation implementation during the 2026 School Calendar. According to the Director for Education Management Information Systems, Ms Ayesha Suleman, years ago, school administration was done manually e.g. school registers were written by hand in large paper books and learner reports were manually prepared: "SA-SAMS helped schools take the first big step into the digital world to automate some of the manual processes over the last decade. SA-SAMS modernisation should be embraced as a further crucial step towards the transformation of school administration for the better and improve on efficiency. The education data therefore remains a critical resource in the delivery of curriculum, school resourcing and administration. I would like to acknowledge Sedibeng East Education District for assisting us in the identification of primary schools for the pilot test in the phased minimal viable product (MVP) approach, before we officially commence in piloting the 5 core modules in Primary schools later in the year. We will pilot and gradually expand the pilot until the modernisation system for the MVP is ready for full implementation in all primary schools. A similar approach will be implemented for the MVP functions for secondary schools in 2027. Through the modernisation process, the SA-SAMS will become a smarter system that will be able to support every school in South Africa. Your participation in the pilot test will ensure that the system works for every school, every principal, every teacher, and ultimately every learner.”

“In many ways, the entire country is looking to you. Your feedback, your experience, and your leadership will help us get this right. In the testing phase, we want to ensure that the modernised SA-SAMS system works effectively in real school environments before national pilot and rollout. During this phase, the 12 schools will test the system on-site, using real administrative processes and data. These will include capturing learner information; recording attendance; managing educator information; generating reports and testing system navigation and usability. Your schools will use the system and tell us what works well, what needs improvement, and where adjustments are needed. Your feedback will guide the final improvements before the system moves to the next stage. You are essentially helping us test the system in the real world, not just in theory. The modernised SA-SAMS introduces several improvements such as a more user-friendly interface; faster processing; improved reporting; better integration with national education data systems; and reduced duplication of data capturing. In short, the system will look different, but it will feel familiar, be faster, smarter, and should be easier to use,” highlighted Ms Suleman, engaging school principals from the 12 selected schools.

NECT representative, Mr Shiloh Naiken said that the modernised SA-SAMS will ensure that the education data worked for the school first, then the system: “The current model was built on old technology without online capability therefore hampering efficiency. As a result, the modernised system will encourage schools to become more data driven, especially in improving school functionality and administration”. Ms Zarene Govender, the DBE’s National Coordinator for the SA-SAMS Modernised System, said that in the upcoming weeks, the national and provincial officials will be conducting training sessions to equip school officials with the knowledge and practical guidance on how to use the modernised SA-SAMS system: “The training will equip school principals, educators and school administrators to become familiar with the modernised system”.