Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, this week, attended the South African Council for Educators (SACE) and Umalusi Budget Review 2026, with a focus on the Sector Plan, the Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan (APP). The briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education took place on 21 April 2026.
Minister Gwarube welcomed the opportunity to present and engage on the 2026 Budget Review of SACE and Umalusi as they are very important institutions, representing the architecture of the Basic Education System: “Both institutions occupy distinct but vital spaces in the sector; SACE carries the responsibility of fostering a capable, ethical, and professional teaching core through education registration, professional development and maintenance of ethical and professional standards. On the other hand, Umalusi as the quality council for General and Further Education and Training, plays a critical role in safeguarding the credibility, integrity and the quality of our qualifications and assessment in the system. As we therefore consider their plans for 2026/27, I believe that it is important to do so with a clear focus; these cannot be treated as compliance exercises or technical documents alone, but they must be read as instruments of delivery, accountability and public confidence to strengthen the sector in practical terms and to contribute to better outcomes for our learners, our educators and the country”.
The Minister added that “for SACE, the issues that demand close attention include the registration of fit-for-purpose educators, the strengthening of professional ethics, the faster handling of misconduct matters, support for teacher development and the continued professionalisation of Early Childhood Development practitioners. SACE’s APP also places clear emphasis on strengthening collaborative, regulation and enforcement of ethical and professional standards, including digital systems and enhancing public confidence in the credibility of the teaching profession. I also note that SACE has identified ethical standards and professional development as a flagship initiative. This is significant at a time when the country expects a teaching profession that is respected and supported for high standards; we need an institution such as SACE for both credible and effective carrying out of its mandate”.
Umalusi’s work often operates slightly further from the public eye, but it is no less important. Public confidence in the value of school leaving certificates, the confidence in the fairness of the examination, the integrity of marking and certification and the standards that apply to independent institutions as well as essential legitimacy of the system, is important. When Umalusi functions well, it helps to ensure that the qualifications are trusted and that learners receive recognition that is credible and that is meaningful. We must therefore guard against inputs alone, budgets matter, systems matter, governance matters, but in the end the real test of whether these inputs produce results we must be obsessed not only about what is planned and funded and reported, but what is actually achieved. I am grateful that both these entities are here to present.
Umalusi is currently drafting a ministerial advice based on the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) Strategy, as engaged through Umalusi’s Research Forum. This advice covers Umalusi’s evaluation of the strengths and areas of improvement, with particular interest on the bearing that this strategy has for Umalusi as a quality council. In preparation for the national assessments for Grade 4 Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Technology within the framework of MTbBE, Umalusi was invited to support the initiative by presenting the Umalusi framework on effective questioning in July 2025. For 2025/26, Umalusi has conceptualised two projects: Investigating the implementation of occupation-oriented curricula within Schools of Skills (SoS) for mild-to-moderate learners to explore how occupation-oriented curricula for the years 1–4 skills programme are being implemented in SoS for learners with mild-to-moderate disabilities (MID), across the country, providing information to the project, titled: “Towards the development of a qualification for Schools of Skills”. This project will provide a basis for the development of a concept document that will propose standards for the development of a qualification for learners with MID.
Prof Yunus Ballim, Chairperson of the Umalusi Council, Dr Mafu Rakumetsi, Umalusi CEO, Mr Hendrik van der Walt, CFO, Mr Kenny Monate, Senior Manager for Finance and Supply Chain Management, and Ms Molly Mokoena, Senior Manager for Strategy and Governance, represented Umalusi. Prof Ballim indicated that the 7th Umalisi Council will be inaugurated on 25 June 2026 to continue to fulfil its regulatory framework towards ensuring a high-quality examination and certification system. The budget for the 2026/27 financial year is R238 million, representing a 9% increase from the previous financial year of R218 million.
SACE presented the 2026/27 APP in line with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) revised framework. The year represents the second year of implementation of the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. Planned activities are aligned to the available budget of R140 million and focused on strengthening professional regulation, professionalisation of the teaching profession and public confidence in the teaching profession. SACE were represented by Ms Ella Mokgalane, CEO and Ms Tuzana Sophethe, Head for Professional Development and Ethics, and Mr Morris Mapindani. The Review of funding is one of the top priorities with the budget being adjusted on the conclusion of the funding review.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Joy Maimela acknowledged the presentations as instruments for holding the executive to account for efficient and effective oversight, noting improvement plans, whilst noting fiscal constraints. The DBE will be presenting its 2026 Budget Review during May 2026.