Gwarube Unveils Reform-Heavy Basic Education Budget as Provinces Face Financial Strain
Minister warns of mounting provincial budget pressures as government prioritises early learning, teacher development and system-wide accountability to tackle deep-rooted inequality in schools
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has tabled a reform-driven Budget Vote 16 that places early learning, literacy, accountability and governance at the centre of South Africa’s education recovery, while warning that several provinces are now in serious financial distress, threatening the stability of schooling systems nationwide.
Speaking under the theme “Strong Foundations for Strong Futures”, Gwarube said the system continues to fail most children long before they reach higher grades, with inequality entrenched from early childhood. Using the example of two hypothetical 10-year-olds — Lindiwe, who attended a well-resourced ECD centre, and Nelson, who did not — she said: “over 90% of South African children are Nelsons and not Lindiwes… the education injustice of our time”.
Key Highlights
13,300 ECD centres registered in one year, exceeding the 10,000 target
200% growth in ECD registration since 2021, reaching 1.2 million children
ECD Nutrition Pilot launched in the Eastern Cape to combat child stunting (7% nationally)
National screen-time guidelines for ages 2–6 are under development.
AI-in-education framework being drafted; teacher remains central to decision-making.
R10 billion needed to align Grade R salaries and staffing; R800 million diverted from ECD Grant to ease immediate pressures
New provincial performance “basket of indicators” to replace reliance on matric pass rates alone
99.9% of SAFE pit toilets eradicated, with one project outstanding
Independent investigation launched into Foundation Phase National Catalogue procurement.
R38.2 billion budget, including R11bn for nutrition and R16bn for infrastructure
ECD Expansion and Early Learning Reforms
A major thrust of the budget is the rapid expansion of Early Childhood Development. The government registered 13,300 ECD centres in the past year, far above the 10,000 target — contributing to a 200% increase in registered centres since 2021 and bringing 1.2 million children into formal early learning programmes.
To address malnutrition, the ECD Nutrition Pilot has begun implementation in the Eastern Cape, responding to Thrive by Five findings indicating that 7% of children are stunted due to poor nutrition.
The department will also introduce national screen-time guidelines for children aged two to six and is reviewing the 2004 White Paper on e-Education while developing guidance on AI use for schools. “The machine may assist, but the teacher must decide,” Gwarube said.
Grade R Funding Crisis
Implementing compulsory Grade R remains financially constrained. Aligning practitioner salaries with Foundation Phase educators and hiring additional teachers will cost R10 billion over the medium term. With Treasury unable to meet the requirement, the department redirected R800 million from the ECD Grant, a move Gwarube described as imperfect but necessary.
Legislation, Governance and BELA Act Progress
Draft regulations under the BELA Act, including admissions, school capacity and learner pregnancy, are already out for public comment, with further regulations on teacher development, home education and SGB elections to follow. Amendments to the Schools Act will formally recognise online schools, while Cabinet has approved the Children’s Amendment Bill to strengthen ECD governance.
Provincial Financial Distress
Gwarube issued a stark warning: several provinces are now experiencing the budget crises predicted in 2024. KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Northern Cape face severe shortfalls, prompting the creation of a Multi-disciplinary Recovery Technical Support Team to stabilise planning and resourcing. “When provincial education finances fail, learners suffer first,” she said.
She also cautioned provinces against delaying Norms and Standards payments, calling them “the lifeblood of teaching and learning”.
Teacher Support, Performance Measures and Integrity
The government will train 10,000 Foundation Phase teachers in literacy and numeracy this year and reduce administrative burdens following recommendations from the National Education and Training Council. The Funza Lushaka bursary programme now allocates 55% of bursaries to Foundation Phase teaching, up from 42% in 2025.
A new “basket of indicators” will replace the narrow focus on matric pass rates, offering a more accurate picture of quality and progression. Disciplinary and criminal processes are underway following limited exam irregularities in Gauteng.
Infrastructure and Anti-Corruption Measures
The SAFE Initiative has eliminated 99.9% of pit toilets, though Gwarube expressed frustration at delays. The government has allocated R16.3 billion for infrastructure, including sanitation, safety, and relief from overcrowding.
An independent investigation will probe procurement deviations in the Foundation Phase National Catalogue after Treasury’s inconclusive assessment. “Corruption in education is never victimless,” she said.
A System Judged by Outcomes
With a total allocation of R38.2 billion, Gwarube said the true measure of the government’s work will be whether children “read better, count better, learn in safety, eat at school and leave school with strong futures because we governed well”.
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