The DBE’s Dr Barney Mthembu, DDG for Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring, chaired the Gauteng engagement on 13 October 2025. DG Mweli applauded Adv Alison Bengtson and her powerful all-women curriculum management team led by Ms Nadine Pote and Ms Antonette Nicolaai, for an excellent comprehensive provincial presentation, which was well-attended by over 1,000 online participants.
Adv Bengtson indicated that the GDE welcomed the constructive criticism, expressing her appreciation to DG Mweli for his leadership. Ms Phumelele Tloubatla reported that in respect of the Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive: a total of 6,595 applications were received; 3,510 applications were approved; and 3,038 ECD Centres have been registered. There is a total number of 3,268 qualified Grade R practitioners, currently implementing the Grade R Mathematics and Home Language Improvement Plan. Ms Nicolaai said that the Reading Strategy is implemented at district level, school and classroom level across all 15 districts. She added that 26 Subject Advisors were trained in five districts for MTbBE implementation with Sesotho and IsiXhosa being identified for Mathematics and NS TECH in pilot schools. MTbBE advocacy has been conducted in 1,050 schools thus far.
Ms Denise Pillay mentioned that 36 Schools of Specialisation (SOS) have been established, with six new SOS having been established since 2024. The province added that they have not established Provincial Rural Education Committees (PREC) due to the nature and complexity of human settlements in the province.
The province confirmed its state of readiness for the NSC examination with a total of 144,249 full-time and 48,500 part-time candidates registered, and the province has pledged to continue learner support until the final paper has been written. The province also confirmed their state of readiness for the 2026 academic year. A total of 358,574 applications has been received for Grades 1 and 8 and remedial measures are in place with satellite schools having been arranged to alleviate overcrowding, along with approval for 437 schools (1,743 classrooms) to be built as part of the self-build programme. On support of newly qualified teachers, a total of 2,647 newly qualified teachers were appointed in 2025, with induction programmes continuing. It was also reported that the youth being employed as Education Assistants and as General Assistants as part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) have been adding value in the classroom.