The second meeting of the G20 Education Working Group (EdWG), this week, ended on a high note, with various delegates praising South Africa for having succeeded in facilitating critical discussions under the G20 South African Presidency theme, Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. Delegates from G20 countries across the globe gathered at Sun City in the North West Province from 27 to 29 May 2025, to continue discussions on the G20 EdWG priorities. 

Discussions  centred on Priorities on Foundational Learning around Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE); and on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications and Education Professional Development for a Changing World. On day one, the G20 EdWG engagements were facilitated into two separate seminars synchronised with the identified priorities.  Proceeding the EdWG meeting was the seminar on Foundational Learning under the theme, “New solutions for population-level access to quality ECCE programmes”, which took place at the Maritane Bush Lodge, North West Province on 27 May 2025.

Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, indicated that the theme for the ECCE seminar underscores a collective commitment to ensure that no child is left behind during their formative years: “The G20 South African Presidency comes with the weighty responsibility of ensuring that African perspectives are placed at the centre of global discussions. We are not just participating; we are shaping the agenda. In our context, we refer to Grades R to 3 as the Foundation Phase. This integrated approach was reaffirmed during the Education World Forum (EWF), with many partners highlighting that early childhood investments must be linked to measurable learning improvements. We call on all G20 members to join us in deepening our collective commitment to both ECCE and foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes. This dual focus ensures that the G20’s agenda reflects the full scope of what children need to thrive and what countries must prioritise to achieve inclusive, equitable learning. This integrated approach is informed by the feedback we received during the EWF where it was emphasised that the importance of connecting early childhood investments with measurable improvements in foundational learning outcomes. If we are to place foundational learning firmly on the global agenda, we cannot afford to focus on ECCE in isolation; it must be accompanied by a clear and coordinated drive to improve early grade reading and mathematics outcomes. By anchoring our G20 focus in both ECCE and the Foundation Phase, South Africa seeks to ensure that the global education discourse reflects the full scope of what is required to equip all children with the skills they need to thrive”.

Discussions from the two seminars culminated into a two-day G20 EdWG meeting co-chaired by both the Director-General for the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Mr Mathanzima Mweli and the Director-General for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Dr Nkosinathi Sishi at Sun City from 28 to 29 May 2025. Reflecting on the impact of the G20 EdWG since its inception during the Argentinian Presidency in 2018, the DBE and DHET confirmed that subsequent presidencies all incorporated the EdWG as a permanent Working Group of the Sherpa Track. Since 2018, several educational challenges have been dealt with by the G20 EdWG, including strengthening learning outcomes; equitable access; technological tools, digitalisation and digital technologies in education, universal quality education, financing, partnerships for education; international cooperation; skills for life and work; ECCE and universal quality education; and a focus on education for sustainable development”. Both Directors-General were content with the level of participation shown by delegates from the G20 countries and deemed the meeting a success. The DGs agreed that: “Our mission is to ensure that all the inputs and insights shared in both seminars find reflection in the G20 Ministers of Education Meeting scheduled for October 2025”.