Latest news with #ECD
The Herald
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
Department trains ECD practitioners to 'rescue' foundation-phase learning
'The minister and the department remain committed to ensuring every child has access to a qualified practitioner and a curriculum-rich early learning environment. Improving the quality and reach of ECD is central to ensuring children who enter Grade 1 are cognitively, emotionally and physically ready to learn, and forms the foundation of a more equitable and effective basic education system.' This year finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced an additional R10bn investment in ECD over the next three years. The funding will raise the daily subsidy from R17 to R24 per child and is expected to increase access for about 700,000 more children up to the age of four. Speaking at the Bana Pele (Children First) summit in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa reinforced government's commitment to early learning. 'As South Africans we have a clear goal for all our children, access to quality learning opportunities for an additional 1.3-million children by 2030. I think it's possible,' he said. Investment in ECD provides substantial returns, he added.. 'Studies have shown every rand spent on ECD can save up to R7 in future costs associated with remedial education, social services and criminal justice. 'ECD is critical for developing foundational skills such as language, literacy and numeracy,' he said, citing a study that estimated an investment of 2.1% of GDP in universal childcare could enable 10.5-million women to join the workforce over three years. Ramaphosa also addressed the literacy crisis, pointing to data that shows 80% of grade 4 pupils cannot read for meaning. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Department trains ECD practitioners to 'rescue' foundation-phase learning
The department of basic education (DBE) says it has trained 2,670 early childhood development (ECD) practitioners in the 2024/2025 financial year on the national curriculum framework (NCF) for children aged birth to four. It said this is part of efforts to strengthen foundational learning across the country. Responding to a parliamentary question from MP Delmaine Chelsey Christians, the department revealed it has significantly scaled up training since the ECD function shift from the department of social development to basic education in April 2022. In addition to the 2,670 practitioners trained in 2024/2025, the department said: 20,027 were trained in 2023/24; 11,681 in 2022/23; 930 in 2021/22; 1,752 in 2020/21; and 14,008 in 2019/20. Regarding qualifications aligned to the national qualifications framework (NQF) level 4, the department reported training: 2,374 practitioners this year; 3,140 trained in 2023/24; 1,345 in 2022/23; 3,239 in 2021/22; and 4,905 in 2019/20. The 2020/21 year saw no training due to Covid-related disruptions. 'Since the ECD function shift in April 2022, the department of basic education and provincial education departments have prioritised the professional development of ECD practitioners to improve the quality of foundational learning,' it said.
Daily Maverick
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Gauteng's R68bn education budget is insufficient to address key issues, warn experts
Experts have warned that despite the Gauteng Department of Education budget increasing to R68bn for the 2025/26 financial year, it is not enough to address critical challenges such as the rapid increase in learners, infrastructure backlogs and systemic inequalities. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has announced a R68-billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year designed to drive improvements across the province's education sector. Key priorities include addressing long-standing infrastructure backlogs, expanding access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes and improving teacher retention and recruitment. Speaking at a post-budget vote media briefing at Jeppe Girls High School on 20 July, Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised the transformative intent behind the allocation. Media 'This R68-billion allocation reflects our dedication to building a generation of skilled, confident and capable learners who will drive South Africa's economic growth and social transformation,' he said. Chiloane said the budget supported key initiatives such as the Strategic Framework for Educational Excellence, the expansion of ECD programmes, school nutrition, scholar transport, psychosocial support and upgrading infrastructure. These efforts aim to provide quality, inclusive and future-focused education by universalising Grade R, ensuring school safety and addressing social barriers to learning. It falls short Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) researcher Daniel Peter Al-Naddaf said the budget increase fell short when adjusted for actual spending and inflation. While the GDE's nominal 4.9% increase to R68-billion seems substantial, he explained that this figure was compared to the initial 2024 budget of R65.8-billion, not the actual R66.14-billion spent. As a result, the increase over last year's actual spending is closer to 2.8%. 'The GDE is not planning to increase spending by 4.9%,' said Al-Naddaf, adding that projected increases for the following years fall below inflation. 'This means that in real terms, learners will receive less each year, not more. Gauteng has one of the highest rates of learner population growth in the country, and all provinces have experienced austerity budgeting for more than a decade. Any increase is welcomed, but this is not at all the kind of major increase necessary to rectify years of underspending,' he said. Matshidiso Lencoasa, a budget policy analyst and researcher at SECTION27, underscored the significance of provincial education budgets, which often receive far less public attention than the national budget. 'Most education functions occur at the provincial level. It's crucial for people, especially parents and community members within each province, to actively look at these budgets and monitor what is being allocated. Without this oversight, important needs can easily be overlooked or underfunded,' she said. Lencoasa said that while the increase appeared meaningful, it only roughly aligned with inflation and fell short of what was needed when factoring in population growth and learner migration. 'Gauteng is an urban province that is quite well-resourced, but it has been struggling for years with issues like overcrowded classrooms and vacant teacher posts. Most of this increase will simply cover the rising cost of living and operational expenses, but it doesn't tackle the core issues like overcrowded classrooms, vacant teacher posts and crumbling school infrastructure,' she said. Concerns over deepening inequality and underspending Al-Naddaf warned that the budget risked deepening disparities as a massive 8.3% cut in spending on goods and services over the next three years threatens critical support. Areas affected include learner transport, nutrition, information and communication technology, inclusive education, municipal services, and learning and teaching support materials. 'Some of the most severe inequalities among Gauteng's learners are precisely in their access to food, transport, technology and inclusive services and materials. While there are some promising initiatives, like collaboration with the Department of Social Development to provide uniforms and other materials to indigent learners, the budget generally risks worsening systemic inequalities in a province where many learners already struggle to get to school, eat at least one meal a day, and access learning materials and support,' he said. Lencoasa said provincial education departments faced difficult trade-offs when balancing critical needs with a stretched budget. 'They have to constantly decide between providing scholar transport, textbooks for learners, and stationery, all essential but competing priorities. Even with these increased allocations, the budget remains insufficient. It's still a long way from truly equipping the education system to provide quality basic education to all learners in the province,' she said. Lencoasa expressed concern that underspending and weak consequence management continued to plague education departments despite increased allocations. 'Unfortunately, underspending persists across various departments, including education, which is alarming given the desperate need for funding to improve schools and classrooms,' she said. 'Money being returned to Treasury or spent irregularly highlights inefficiencies. The school nutrition programme frequently faces shutdown threats due to tender and supply issues, underscoring systemic failures.' Lencoasa lamented that while reports flag irregular expenditure and mismanagement, those responsible are rarely named or held to account. Effective consequence management requires naming and shaming, followed by enforcement and remediation. Without this, poor service delivery and corruption will undermine education outcomes. ECD and Grade R funding is inadequate Gauteng's education budget includes a sizeable allocation of R734-million dedicated to universalising Grade R access, expanding ECD programmes, and training practitioners to NQF Level 6. Lencoasa acknowledged the department had made progress in early childhood education, but said it remained inadequate. 'The current allocations are nowhere near enough to support formal registration of ECD centres or effectively expand Grade R,' she said. Al-Naddaf voiced similar sentiments, noting that the funding increase of about 10.1% for Gauteng's ECD budget to R2.6-billion was encouraging, but accounted for less than 4% of the department's total budget. 'This budget will not ensure universal access to Grade R, and this is primarily because National Treasury has refused to provide provincial education departments the necessary funding to do so in 2025. This [R2.6-billion] is nowhere near enough to universalise Grade R, nor to provide quality, holistic ECD services to all young children in Gauteng. The GDE itself has told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education that it does not have enough funding to provide universal Grade R, despite it being compulsory nationwide since January this year. 'While Treasury has made a provisional allocation of R10-billion for ECD nationally, this is specifically for subsidies at ECD centres, and not for universalising Grade R,' he said. Alternative funding and fiscal reform Lencoasa highlighted the urgent need for alternative revenue-raising mechanisms to bridge these gaps. She pointed to large sums lost via uncollected taxes, stating that better collection could unlock significant resources without raising the burden on ordinary citizens. She also questioned the effectiveness of corporate tax incentives designed to stimulate employment, suggesting their reform could free funds for education. Moreover, she advocated for redistributive taxes, like luxury and inheritance taxes, to generate equity-enhancing revenues for the sector. 'The Budget Justice Coalition has actively advocated for these alternatives, stressing that political will at national and provincial levels, especially in economically active provinces like Gauteng, is essential to unlocking sufficient and sustainable funding for education,' said Lencoasa. DM
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Takalani Sesame celebrates 25 years of educational impact in South Africa
For the past 25 years, Takalani Sesame has been a trusted companion to millions of South African children, sparking joy and encouraging curiosity and lifelong learning. Image: Supplied For the past 25 years, Takalani Sesame has delighted millions of South African children, becoming a cherished source of education and joy. The non-profit organisation behind this beloved television show, Sesame Workshop South Africa, is taking a bold step into the future as it celebrates a quarter-century of impactful programming. This year, they are forging a new partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) aimed at enhancing early childhood development (ECD) registration nationwide. As part of the Bana Pele (Putting Children First) campaign, this collaboration seeks to drive awareness and support for early education, health, and well-being. With over 7 million viewers and an embrace from 95% of households with young children, Takalani Sesame has been a transformative force in the realm of early childhood education, making topics like inclusion, health, and well-being resonate across the national conversation. 'For 25 years, Takalani Sesame has stood for smarter, stronger, and kinder children,' said Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop South Africa. This milestone is not merely a celebration; it's a clarion call to deepen their impact in collaboration with the DBE. The importance of this partnership embodies the philosophy that investing in children today will yield a more robust, successful nation tomorrow. The Bana Pele campaign strongly encourages parents and guardians to register their local ECD centres with the DBE. Not only is registration free, but it also opens avenues for vital government support, including a recently announced R10 billion funding initiative aimed at enhancing the ECD subsidy. This investment aims to widen access for underprivileged children, ensuring they experience high-quality early learning in safe environments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: 'Children are South Africa's greatest assets, and this collaboration aligns with our vision to put our youngest citizens first.' The registration process will help secure brighter futures for the nation's children, thereby addressing a crucial national imperative. Dr Nwaneri elaborates on the broader implications of supporting early childhood development: 'ECD is not just about education; it lays the groundwork for lifelong health, learning, and overall well-being.' Ultimately, investing in quality early learning fosters skills development and stimulates job creation, paving the way for a more inclusive economy and nurturing South Africa's long-term prosperity. The Bana Pele registration drive asserts that ensuring access to learning goes hand in hand with the enhancement of safety and quality through a transparent compliance process. Early childhood development centres will be empowered to advance their standards, moving from Bronze to Silver and Gold accreditation levels, with continuous support from government and partners like Sesame Workshop. 'This campaign is about much more than just celebrating 25 years of success; it's also a call to action to the nation,' Dr Nwaneri emphasised. 'Everyone has a role to play in ensuring every child has the opportunity to be the best they can be.'
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Rise Against Hunger's campaign to pack 2. 5 million meals
Several companies took part in the Rise Against Hunger's meal-packing event in Durban on Mandela Day. Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers Rise Against Hunger Africa's Mandela Day campaign this year is a national initiative spanning 25 days with the goal of packing 2.5 million nutritious meals. This ambitious undertaking aims to support 225 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across South Africa for a full year, reinforcing the vital link between proper nutrition and early childhood education. The organisation said, rooted in the spirit of Nelson Mandela's enduring legacy of service and social justice, the campaign encourages corporates to dedicate their time and resources to uplift underprivileged communities. The initiative invited South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in service, aligning with the spirit of Mandela Day and its global call to action. Corporate teams participated in coordinated meal-packing events across six major cities, directly supporting food security and education for the country's most vulnerable children. The Mercury and Independent Media staff also participated in the meal packing event. Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In Durban, there was a vibrant atmosphere at The Station venue on Friday, where teams from various companies set up production lines and got busy packing meals. Kim Carrington, Rise Against Hunger KZN Regional Branch Manager, said 220,656 meals were packed on Mandela Day at the Durban event. Several corporates took part including Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Sibaya Casino, Shoprite Checkers, Liberty, NMI DSM and SA Home Loans. The Mercury also had a team at the event. 'It was a spectacular day and we made a huge impact on reaching our goal of packing 2.5 million meals in 25 days. The campaign goes on even after Mandela Day; we work with corporates throughout the year. 'We can host team building meal packing events at their premises and they receive a Section 18A certificate for their contribution.' Carrington explained that for ECD centres, providing meals for children can be their biggest expense; therefore, Rise Against Hunger steps in to provide nutritious meals which also allows the centres to save money for other needs. She said they encourage the centres to use the savings to improve infrastructure, upskill staff or buy educational resources so they reach a point where they can sustain themselves and get registered with their government, which allows them to receive grants. THE MERCURY
