The provincial engagement with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDoE) took place on 16 October 2025. During the engagement, DG Mweli paid tribute to HoD, Mr Nkosinathi Ngcobo and his management team, provincial officials and district directors for their exemplary leadership in the midst of times of crises: “You have been soldiering on under trying conditions with limited resources but with much resilience; exploring alternative solutions due to the invocation of Section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act to ensure the optimum functioning of the system”.
In handing over to Mr Mbongiseni Mazibuko to lead the presentation team, Mr Ngcobo reassured the DBE that the province was fully prepared to administer both the internal and external examinations, notwithstanding the many challenges facing the province, including the procurement of Learning Teaching and Support Materials. Dr Raymond Penniston, Chief Director for Examinations in the province, confirmed that the Class of 2025 is academically stronger than the Class of 2024, although three subjects, Mathematics Literacy, Physical Sciences and Life Science were a challenge and required focus intervention.
As part of the ECD Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive, a total of 1,869 applications has been received; a total of 1,413 completed; and 1,100 approved. A total of 43 Subject Advisors has been capacitated to support Grade 4 Mathematics and NS TECH for MTbBE. The DBE’s Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana said that, although much has been done in respect of MTbBE, language vitality of isiZulu as a home language is worrying and advised the province to tap in and leverage on work done by education institutions as many new developments have been happening on isiZulu.
On focus schools, the province has four Agricultural schools that are in the process of upgrade and one fully fledged MST focus school. Two focus schools for Maritime and Engineering will be opened in 2026. A total of 195,899 candidates is registered to sit for the NSC examination at 1,766 examination centres across the province. For the new academic year, a total of 2,522,889 learners has been placed. To ensure support for the 885 newly qualified teachers, intensive orientation and induction programmes have been conducted. It was agreed that the 34,440 Education Assistants and the 11,218 General Assistants appointed as part of the BEEI, are adding value to learning and teaching in schools.
Concluding the engagement with the KZNDoE, Ms Simoné Geyer, DBE’s DDG for Delivery and Support, who chaired the meeting, wished the province all the best for the upcoming NSC examination, stating her confidence for improved academic results.