The DBE and Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) are continuing with their system wide approach towards strengthening the monitoring and support of learning improvement strategies, with specific emphasis on learner support programmes aimed at improving learning in the General Education and Training band (Grades R to 9). This week, Basic Education Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, visited the Eastern Cape Province where he engaged with education district directors, circuit managers, subject advisors and School Management Teams (SMTs) on strategies to improve learning outcomes across all grades. The DG met with the Alfred Nzo East, Alfred Nzo West, OR Tambo Inland, OR Tambo Coastal and Joe Gqabi district teams.

During the engagement, DG Mweli afforded district directors an opportunity to present their district-based performance with measures to improve learning outcomes. The meeting remains a critical platform for DBE and PEDs, and education districts in particular, to share common goals in terms of sustaining quality learning outcomes, whilst charting a way forward in terms of improving quality learning and teaching in schools.

In his briefing session with education officials, DG Mweli said that districts should increase learner participation in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technical and BCM subjects, as well as strengthening teaching and learning in Home Languages from Grade R to 12. “Our main objective in engaging the provincial and district officials is to push schools towards achieving quality learning outcomes across all phases. The Basic Education Sector remains a system on the rise. However, a paradigm shift is required to maintain a balance from the General Education and Training (GET) to Further Education and Training (FET). Through the system wide approach, education districts and schools should work together to improve foundational learning, especially in Home Languages. Collaborative efforts between the DBE and PEDs in addressing identified learning deficits in various phases will transform the South African schooling system for the better. One key area that requires our urgent attention is subject choices. Our schools therefore should play a crucial role in guiding learners to choose academic streams that will enable them to participate in the global economy,” highlighted DG Mweli.

DG Mweli also used the engagement programme as an opportunity to motivate Grade 12 learners as they prepare for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations scheduled to start in October 2025. DG Mweli also engaged with the Class of 2025 and shared tips for academic achievements, encouraging them to maintain discipline and stringently follow their study timetable throughout the year to achieve excellent results during their matric examinations.