Investing in Education Is Investing in South Africa’s Future

The following speech was delivered in Parliament today by Siviwe Gwarube MP during the debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA):

Speaker,

For millions of children in South Africa, education is the bridge between poverty and opportunity.

It is the only ticket out of their current circumstances; into a better a future.

That is why the chronic underfunding in this sector has had devasting effects. Not just on the education sector but on the future of South Africa’s greatest asset – its young people.

Prolonged underfunding due to poor policy decision-making over the years has undermined the delivery of frontline services.

Currently we are unable to meet the demand for teachers that we need.

Classes are overcrowded.

Kwiilali nakwindawo ezisemaphandleni, kusekho izikolo ezingekho semgangathweni, ezibangela ubungozi kubafundi.

And, in many of our cities, parents are struggling to find places for their children in schools. All of these realities make it impossible for quality learning and teaching to take place. It is for this reason that we need to move with urgency to turn the situation around. Our reforms must be clear, must be swift and must be funded.

In just seven months, the Department of Basic Education has worked tirelessly to address long-standing challenges in our schooling system. We have started to reorientate the system towards improving the quality of early learning. Research has shown that investment in early child learning will yield powerful dividends later on in life. And indeed for our economic prospects.

This is key to ensuring that our children have strong learning foundations that will unlock opportunities for them to excel in school and participate in our economy.

Members, to achieve this, we are focusing on:

Expanding access to Quality Early Childhood Development (ECD);

• Ensuring that the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme prioritises students pursuing Foundation Phase teaching careers;
• Reviewing the Post Provisioning Norms to reduce large classes and improve learning outcomes in the Foundation Phase;
• Updating the National Catalogue of Learning and Teaching Support Materials to improve curriculum delivery; and
• Protecting teaching and learning time.

Speaker, quality teaching and learning cannot take place if our learning environments lack dignity and are unsafe.

This is why, we remain resolute in eradicating all pit toilets that were identified in 2018 by March 2025.

While this is proving to be incredibly challenging, it is a moral imperative we cannot give up on.

Ngapha ngoko, izikolo eziyi- 1000 ebezingena zindlu zangasese, zifumene ubonelelwa, zakhelwa.

To improve accountability at a provincial level for the roll out of school infrastructure, we will review the Regulations relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure.

Government must be held accountable by its citizens and the recipients of its services.

South Africans must know that in us, they have a responsible and responsive government.

To improve the safety of school infrastructure, with the help of our corporate partner, Vodacom, we have also launched the Safe Schools application – a digital platform empowering communities to report unsafe toilets and monitor school infrastructure progress in real time.

To combat crime in schools, we are fast-tracking the vetting of educators against the National Child Protection Register and the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Speaker, the implementation of the BELA Act continues.

As indicated by the President in the SONA we are busy finalizing the regulations that will go out for public comment and input.

Ultimately, these guidelines and regulations must be implemented in a manner that protects the learner, teacher and our schools.

I will not tolerate any politicization of this Act in a way that affects our children and distracts them from learning and teaching.

As part of efforts to improve the quality of outcomes in our education sector, we are convening the National Education and Training Council.

This advisory body, composed of experts from across the education sector, will provide guidance on:

• How we strengthen the funding model for public schools;
• How we improve literacy and numeracy across all phases;
• How we integrate early childhood development and Grade R into the basic education system; and
• How we can review the pass requirements across all phases; including at a matric level.

Mr. President, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken a leading role in driving improvements within the education sector under this Government of National Unity (GNU).

We remain committed to ensuring that learners have access to quality teachers, safe school environments, and that they have the necessary resources they need to succeed.

Members, this GNU is a beacon of hope for South Africa.

If this Government moves with the required urgency and conviction, it will mean greater stability, economic growth and opportunity for all South Africans, especially poor black people.

While some opposition parties in this House, would rather see our country collapse under the weight of populism and economic ruin, we stand firm in our commitment to ukusebenzela abantu beli.

Kaloku, sithunyiwe eburhulumenteni ngabantu ebebephelelwe lithemba. Asinoze sibadanise ngokungasebenzi.

This government is not just a marriage of political convenience. It is about ensuring that South Africa continues to grow its economy, create jobs, and pulls the 30 million South Africans out of poverty.

The future of South Africa depends on the education we provide today.

That is why we must block out the noise and be relentless in putting the 13.5 million children in our education system first.

They deserve a future that they can be proud of.

We dare not fail them.