The DBE, in partnership with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), hosted a Remote and Digital Learning Dialogue on 19 June 2025, at the Anglo American South Africa offices in Rosebank. The event brought together a wide range of education stakeholders from across the education technology (EdTech) ecosystem to engage with two key documents critical to the future of digital learning in South Africa: the Proposed EdTech Value Chain for the South African Basic Education System, as well as the DBE’s draft Digital Education Transformation Strategy. 

As global education systems continue to evolve in response to digital trends, the need for a collaborative, inclusive approach to digital transformation has become increasingly urgent if South Africa is to catch up. This national engagement, therefore, builds on South Africa’s broader digital education journey, which began with the White Paper on e-Education in 2004, a policy framework seeking how best Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be integrated into teaching and learning. Recognising the shifting digital landscape, the DBE has since adopted a renewed vision to ensure equitable access to digital tools and the skills necessary for success in the 21st Century. 

“From the early foundations laid by the Department of Education’s White Paper on e-Education, to more recent partnerships between the DBE, the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), and other key stakeholders, there has been a consistent recognition that technology when effectively harnessed has the potential to transform education and improve learning outcomes at scale,” said Dr Godwin Khosa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NECT.

“The Department’s key mandate is to improve educational outcomes, enable lifelong learning, support teacher development, and drive innovation; therefore technology has a huge role to play in all of this”, said Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for MST and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes, who emphasised the increasing use of technology in delivering curriculum content, improving school and district management and strengthening overall administration across the basic education system.

In her reflection on the 30 years of experience with educational technology in South African basic education, Dr Shafika Isaacs, UNESCO Chief of Section: Technology and AI in Education, explored historical milestones, individual and collective achievements, existing gaps, and emerging opportunities to drive meaningful and sustainable impact in the education sector. She proposes a shift in the national discourse, design and delivery of EdTech policy and practice, especially if the principles of inclusion, equity, ethics, redress and social justice are to be defended and prioritised.

During the dialogue, participants shared valuable insights on the draft Digital Education Transformation Strategy presented by Mr Henry Kavuma, Chief Education Specialist for ICT in Education, and practical case studies which Mr Tlhabane said were essential to refining the strategy and ensuring it is grounded in real-world conditions. Attendees also provided feedback on critical issues that may affect the successful implementation of the strategy, such as lack of network infrastructure in most rural areas of the country, lack of access-to appropriate devices, teacher readiness, content development, and data management. In his closing remarks, Mr Tlhabane said that the DBE views this as the first in a series of national dialogues that will help consolidate input from diverse stakeholders into a coherent action plan, adding that, “moving forward, strong partnerships across government, civil society, business, and development organisations will be essential to achieving a digitally empowered and inclusive basic education system in South Africa.”