In her opening address, Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, said that the Basic Education Sector Lekgotla remains a seminal gathering to address emerging topics within the education sector. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the learners who succumbed after the horrific learner transport accident that occurred in Vanderbijlpark on 19 January 2026: “I am shaken to the core and will be visiting the families later today to sit with them in their grief”.
South Africa stands at a defining crossroads. The evidence is unequivocal: the root of this crisis lies in weak early learning foundations from birth to nine years. “We must recognise that a future-fit education system prepares children not only academically, but holistically. It develops cognitive agility, adaptability, and resilience to complexity. It builds digital fluency, human and transferable skills such as curiosity, imagination, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, perseverance, and self-management. Foundational literacy and numeracy is not just an education priority; it is the compass for national development. A matric pass rate in not created in matric,” added the Minister.
Minister Gwarube said that the roadmap rests on six interlinked priorities: Early Childhood Development through play-based learning from birth to Grade 3; Teacher support through structured pedagogy and professional coaching; Targeted instruction using formative assessment and teaching mathematics for understanding; Inclusion to ensure no child is excluded, including learners with disabilities; Data and accountability through real-time progress monitoring; and Partnerships that unite government, parents, and communities around learning.
None of this can succeed if schools are not safe spaces for learning and schools must be centres of care, safety, and dignity. This requires zero tolerance for violence and abuse, supported by strong referral systems and rapid response mechanisms; comprehensive school-based health and nutrition programmes; mental health and psychosocial support for both learners and educators; and inclusive environments where every child, including those with disabilities, feels valued and secure. Creating safe schools demands a whole-school and multi-sectoral approach. Every school must become more than a place of learning; it must become a hub of wellbeing, protection, and opportunity.
The Post Provisioning Norms (PPN) review, the roll-out of Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE), the strengthening of foundational literacy and numeracy, and the expansion of vocational and occupational pathways form part of a single, coherent strategy to correct historical inequities, elevate learning outcomes, and align education with South Africa’s economic and social transformation agenda. By strengthening the foundations, ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments, and preparing every child for a future-fit world – we will not only change education outcomes; we will change the trajectory of our nation.
The Minister further stated: “As we navigate rapid changes in technology, artificial intelligence, and the world of work, one truth remains constant: teachers are irreplaceable. The PPN review strengthens the foundations of learning by ensuring that schools are adequately resourced, classrooms are manageable, and educators are deployed where they are most needed. The Department will continue the roll-out of MTbBE, moving decisively beyond pilot projects and into nationwide implementation. The Department will strengthen the Occupational and Vocational streams in our Focus Schools, operationalising Focus Schools specialising in Engineering, Maritime Studies and Aviation. Our progress must be measured against international and regional benchmarks, together with our revitalised National Assessment Framework as an honest mirror of system performance. This Lekgotla is a space for honest, solutions-focused exchange where we share ideas that can strengthen the work already underway on policy development and implementation”.