Johannesburg, August 2024 – In a bold and candid address at the Kievet Reading Panel, Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube emphasized the need for an in-depth review of the efficacy of the Department's programmes. Her speech marked a significant departure from the usual scripted rhetoric, laying bare the deep-rooted inequalities and systemic failures that continue to plague the nation's schools.

Addressing Inequality and Systemic Failures

Minister Gwarube did not shy away from depicting the dire state of education, stressing the need to confront these challenges head-on. "We must prioritise where we are now so that we can ignite a real call to action," she declared, underscoring the importance of addressing foundational skills to ensure that no child is left behind.

Mother-Tongue Based Bilingual Education and Literacy

One of the key issues the Minister highlighted was the importance of mother-tongue based bilingual education. "Children who learn in their mother tongue are better equipped to succeed," she stated, pointing to the disparity in performance in children learning in Afrikaans, English, and African languages in the foundation phase. She noted that the transition in Grade 4 for more than 75% of learners from their mother tongue to English exacerbates the problem.

Minister Gwarube also linked literacy with school safety, arguing that eradicating pit toilets is just the starting point. "...If [learners and teachers] feel unsafe…they are unable to perform as well as they should…We must focus on maintaining schools, ensuring safety, and addressing the challenges that teachers face in unsafe environments," she said.

Systemic Challenges and Coordination

The Minister highlighted the urgent need to address literacy and school safety, emphasising that efforts to eliminate pit toilets must be accompanied by comprehensive school maintenance and safety measures. She called for stronger coordination among government departments, civil society, and the private sector to prioritise and resolve these crises.

Early Childhood Development and Infrastructure

Minister Gwarube placed significant emphasis on the role of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in shaping the future of South Africa’s youth. She called for the formalisation of ECD programmes and the redirection of resources to underserved areas. "Early intervention is crucial, and we need to ensure that our youngest learners are given the best possible start," she emphasised.

She also stressed the importance of proper infrastructure and efficient resource allocation, including reading materials, particularly in under-resourced and rural communities. "We must get the basics right—eliminate pit toilets, ensure teaching time is protected, and involve communities and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in the maintenance of our schools," she asserted.

A Call to National Action

Minister Gwarube concluded her address with a powerful call for a national, holistic approach to reforming the education system. “I wish to see the Department of Education not just being a social portfolio, but actually in the economic cluster, because that's where it belongs. Because if you get this right, that's how you're going to solve your economic problems,” she affirmed.

Her presentation urged a collective effort to address the educational crisis and create a brighter future for South Africa's youth through a transformed and equitable education system.

Shifting Focus from Matric Results to Early Interventions

The Minister stressed the need to move beyond an overt focus on matric results and instead understand when and why learners are dropping out along the way. "We need to make sure that the learners who start are on track to finish," she noted. Central to this are reliable assessments and ensuring that teachers have the requisite support, including safe teaching environments and effective teacher training.

Changing the Culture of Reading

Advocating for a cultural shift in reading, the Minister highlighted the need to promote a culture of reading amongst communities and parents to ensure that learners not only learn how to read, but that schools, communities, and homes become supportive environments for developing this skill and encouraging reading for enjoyment.

A Call for Strategic Partnerships

In her closing remarks, Minister Gwarube called for collaboration with other cabinet ministers and a strategic reallocation of public and NGO funding towards data-driven needs. She emphasised the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to address systemic issues in education. By forming strategic partnerships and implementing bold, data-driven interventions, the Minister aims to transform the sector and deliver measurable improvements.

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