Basic Education Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, has been continuing his virtual engagements with provincial, district and circuit managers. Thus far, he has met with the North West, the Northern Cape, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. DG Mweli also met with the Western Cape and Limpopo Provinces on Friday, 17 October 2025.
Mr Mweli hosts two sets of annual engagements with provinces. The first phase of the engagements takes place during the beginning of the academic year to improve learning outcomes across provinces. During the second phase of the engagements in October, provincial officials present on identified key topics in driving the performance of the sector, whilst DBE officials contribute through comments and questions as the audience to provide support and leadership. The provincial engagements are a way of assessing the state of readiness in the provinces in terms of concluding the 2025 academic year; conducting the internal and external examinations; and commencing of the 2026 academic year – all in the interest of the South African learner.
During the sessions, DG Mweli indicated that, across provinces, more attention should be given to Foundational Learning, with extraordinary efforts for Grades 1 to 7 obviously requiring additional support and intervention. He added that these deficits accumulate in Grades 8,9 and 10, becoming more pronounced as the cognitive demands increase. Home Language performance remained a cause for concern requiring improvement. He also mentioned the role that resting subjects such as Art and Drama play in balancing highly cognitive subjects such as Mathematics and Life Sciences. It was also clear that provinces had to increase their intake and performance in Mathematics in particular. The strengths of the Class of 2024 were also compared to the Class of 2025.
On the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, the DG indicated that he has instructed the National Examinations and Assessments Chief Directorate to develop guidelines with lessons from previous examinations to be shared with provinces. DG Mweli also advised provinces to be vigilant against possible Operation Dudula and service protest interruptions during the examination period and into the commencement of the new academic year.
DG Mweli stressed that “the sector must outperform its 2024 academic outcomes. Your weakness is our weakness; your success is our success; we assist each other to improve and excel. In terms of quality assurance what is regularly and consistently communicated, measures supported and monitored, gets done; the importance of qualitative tracking learner performance tracking from Grades 1 to 12, cannot be overemphasised” He also appealed to provinces to apply their strategic capability to be prepared for unforeseen matters during this period. DG Mweli concluded by requesting that provinces implement Targeted and Responsible Savings (TARS) as we cannot continue with business as usual due to fiscal constraints. DG Mweli expressed his appreciation to all provinces for their comprehensive presentations and continued dedication and commitment towards improved outcomes.