Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, accompanied by senior managers, briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on 12 June 2026, on the DBE’s fourth quarter performance across five programmes, covering the period between January and March 2026. The Committee also met with the Right to Read Campaign for discussions on literacy interventions and the need for stronger alignment between departmental strategies and reading outcomes.

The DBE’s Chief Director for Strategic Planning, Research, Evaluation and Monitoring, Ms Stella Mosimege, delivered the presentation on behalf of the Department, focusing on highlights and indicators that had not been achieved. She said there had been a decline in performance compared to the previous financial year; in the fourth quarter of 2024/25, the Department had achieved 90% of its targets, whereas in the current reporting period, it had achieved only 69%.

She added that the lower performance should be understood within the broader context of changes to the Department’s planning and reporting systems. In the previous five-year term, which ended in 2024/25, the Department had relatively few quarterly targets, with most indicators measured annually. By contrast, in the current term the Department had increased the number of quarterly indicators from nine to 24 to improve service delivery monitoring. She pointed out that previous indicators had often focused on the production of reports rather than actual outputs and outcomes, whereas the revised approach sought to measure direct service delivery impact. She indicated that the annual report, which would be tabled around September or October 2026 would reflect a much higher achievement rate. Key activities undertaken by the Minister, the Deputy Minister and the Director-General were also noted.

Mr Patrick Khunou, DBE’s Chief Financial Officer, reported that the Department had spent 98% of its total budget allocation of R38.2 billion, amounting to expenditure of R37.5 billion. He then focused on underperformance relating to payments for capital assets and goods and services. Regarding goods and services, where expenditure stood at 89%, he said that the bulk of the under expenditure related to the ECD budget. The Department had received an additional allocation of approximately R2 billion for ECD very late in the financial year, leaving insufficient time to spend the funds. He informed the Committee that the Department had already requested a rollover from National Treasury, which was expected to be approved and communicated during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) by the Minister of Finance.

Teacher development and qualification reform were also addressed, with the DBE confirming an active review of teacher education qualifications in collaboration with higher education institutions. The Department highlighted ongoing challenges in Grade R, particularly the number of unqualified practitioners, and outlined efforts to upskill and formalise qualifications through bridging programmes, diplomas, and institutional partnerships. Inclusive education was also addressed, with the Department reporting ongoing efforts to integrate learners with disabilities into ordinary schools where appropriate, strengthen special school support, and apply screening and support policies to ensure equitable assessment and accommodation. The meeting also briefly covered education assistant programmes, highlighting their role in supporting teaching and learning rather than replacing educators, as well as their contribution to school support and teacher development pathways. In conclusion, the Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Joy Maimela, emphasised the importance of clearer performance indicators whilst the Department reaffirmed their commitment towards measurable, quality outcomes.