The DBE is hard at work to ensure adequate support provision to Early Childhood Development (ECD) institutions across all nine provinces. The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, joined by the Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Ms Lindi Masina, delivered much-anticipated Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSMs) to five ECD centres in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province on 3 November 2025. The LTSM delivery to Sinethemba, Sithembele, Isiqalo-Semfundo, MaAunties, and Mahlubi was achieved through a donation from the Smart Kids Academy. The institution has allocated LTSM resources to the value of R145,000, to strengthen curriculum coverage in the identified ECD centres in the province.

According to the Smart Kids Academy, South Africa, the development of motor skills for children in the early years of pre-school education is essential since it assists them to be ready for primary education when they turn six. In her address, Smart Kids Academy managing and founding member, Ms Fatima Rashied Bulbulia, informed those who attended the handover ceremony that the organisation played a crucial role in complementing the LTSM currently used by the identified ECD centres. “The LTSM resources are designed to assist the ECD institutions in transforming their teaching mechanism for the better. Smart Kids is currently providing procurement of quality products, as part of the DBE policy requirements for ECD, at a competitive price, without compromising quality or the safety of the children. Our offerings enhance learning and teaching support materials for Grade R, RR, RRR, and Grades 1, 2, and 3. We also offer a training centre for the products we supply,” highlighted Ms Bulbulia.

During an interactive session with ECD practitioners, a DBE representative from the Foundational Learning Directorate, Ms Kgopotso Khumalo, said that it was essential that the ECD centres were registered to qualify for Government Subsidies. Ms Khumalo shared that “through the Mass Registration Drive (MRD), the DBE seeks to bring more early learning programmes in the regulatory framework by making sure that all learning programmes comply. This means that registration makes it possible for the DBE to know where each early learning programme is located, and how many children are there. The department will also know how many practitioners. Knowing where each centre is, increases the likelihood of early learning programmes receiving government subsidy. The registration process is divided into three categories: a new bronze, new silver, and/or new gold. The registration process has been simplified, and the new bronze is activated through a sms system. Once bronze registration is complete, early learning programmes are supported by social workers to reach silver status where they qualify for government subsidy”.

In her address, Deputy Minister Mhaule indicated that the DBE, together with the Provincial Education Department (PEDs) have made a substantial progress in the registration of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to qualify for the Government subsidies. “Early this year, Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, embarked on Bana Pele ECD Mass Registration drives across all nine provinces where she encouraged the ECD centres to register to receive necessary Government support. Since the drive was launched, a total of 10,000 ECD centres were fully registered and have been receiving Government support to date. We are determined to ensure that all children from 0 to 5 gain access to quality ECD programmes in this country,” said Deputy Minister Mhaule.