Durban — The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring quality education despite budget cuts.
Gwarube and Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule are in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) this week as part of the ongoing National Listening and Learning Tour.
“We are doing everything in our power to shield essential services, and I want the public to know that we are committed to their needs,” said Gwarube.
The minister, who also met with KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, highlighted ongoing discussions with the National Treasury to protect frontline services like education.
Gwarube, Mhaule, Hlomuka and his provincial management team discussed solutions for issues such as budget constraints and resource shortages.
Budget cuts and infrastructure are some of the issues in the province and according to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group website, nearly 3 898 schools are identified as having pit latrines. Gwarube has revealed that she plans to eradicate pit toilet structures in schools by March 2025.
The visit, which included stops at Anton Lembede Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) Academy in La Mercy and several other schools, focused on understanding the challenges faced by the KZN education system.
At Anton Lembede MST Academy, Gwarube interacted with pupils who “proudly” showcased their coding and robotics skills, reflecting the school's emphasis on technology and innovation.
This engagement is part of a broader initiative to foster the development of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects across the country.
Mhaule said: “It is a privilege to be part of this important engagement. The commitment shown by the KZN education leadership is commendable.”
MEC Hlomuka welcomed the national delegation and expressed gratitude for the support offered by Minister Gwarube.
“We are deeply appreciative of the Minister’s efforts in making time to engage with us. It reflects the national government’s commitment to addressing the needs of our province,” said Hlomuka.
Gwarube also recognised the crucial role KZN plays in the national education landscape, noting that the province has the largest number of pupils sitting for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams this year. She urged the public to continue supporting students throughout their educational journeys.
The minister also visited Tongaat Special School and Seatides Combined School, which were affected by the Tornado earlier this year. She continued her engagement with educators and students across KZN.
Gwarube stressed the importance of ensuring that every classroom has a qualified teacher to provide individual attention to students, a key factor in improving educational outcomes.
She further said the tour continues as part of the department's ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by South Africa’s education system, particularly in under-resourced provinces like KZN.
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