New Education Minister Urges Stability Amidst Calls for Systemic Review

In her inaugural budget speech, South Africa’s new Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, emphasized the importance of maintaining stability within the schooling system for the remainder of the academic year. Gwarube, previously the chief whip of the Democratic Alliance (DA), asserted that any policy changes must be evidence-based and aimed at improving educational outcomes.

Gwarube criticized previous administrations for their handling of the education sector, highlighting that high matriculation pass rates have often masked deeper issues such as poor learning quality and high dropout rates. She announced a comprehensive review of the National Senior Certificate pass rate and other national systems to enhance literacy and numeracy skills across all levels.

“Despite some improvements, our literacy and numeracy rates remain unacceptably low,” Gwarube stated. “My team and I will focus intensely on ensuring learners can read for meaning.”

A key initiative Gwarube plans to implement is the formation of an advisory council comprising representatives from the basic education system. This council is expected to provide valuable insights and ensure that educational reforms are targeted, evidence-based, and in line with best practices.

Reflecting on the projected effectiveness of school governing bodies, Gwarube expressed dissatisfaction with the current target of 50% effectiveness for the 2024-25 period. “Nearly three decades after the enactment of the South African Schools’ Act, this projection is simply not good enough. We must strive for better,” she said.

Education experts underline the critical role of school governing bodies in shaping the educational landscape, influencing everything from curriculum development to infrastructure management. The department’s data indicates that schools with active governing body participation report a 20% higher pass rate on average compared to those with less involvement.

In response to concerns about school infrastructure, Gwarube highlighted the significant budget allocations for the upcoming year. The department’s budget for 2024-25 stands at R32.3 billion, a 7.4% increase from the previous year. This includes R26.041 billion for conditional grants, with R13.7 billion earmarked for advancing school infrastructure through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education Initiative.

Rights group Equal Education has called for urgent action to address the dilapidated state of school infrastructure. They emphasized the need for mechanisms to improve the quality and efficiency of infrastructure delivery. According to the group’s statement, the department has repeatedly missed deadlines set by the 2013 School Infrastructure Regulations for providing basic amenities and replacing unsafe building materials.

Gwarube acknowledged these shortcomings and committed to reviewing the recently revised norms and standards for school infrastructure. “We cannot allow learners to be at risk in unsafe structures or using pit toilets, especially after 30 years of democracy,” she said.

In June, her predecessor, Angie Motshekga, signed a revised prescription of the School Infrastructure Regulations, granting provincial education departments the authority to prioritize and complete infrastructure projects.

As Gwarube takes on her new role, the focus remains on evidence-based policy implementation and the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.