Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube outlines a range of reforms when she tabled the budget vote for the Department of Basic Education in Parliament on Tuesday.
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Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has announced an independent investigation into the R1.6 billion textbook tender for grades one to three that was irregularly awarded.
The investigation comes after it recently emerged that a portion of the tender was awarded to Lighthouse Publisher, a company that was formed days after the tender terms were issued.
Tabling the department’s R38.2 billion budget for 2026/27 on Tuesday, Gwarube said she has considered advice from the National Treasury, whom she initially asked to investigate the approval of Lighthouse Publisher for the textbooks.
“While Treasury's consideration on the matter was inconclusive, it raised a concern about our own department's deviation from ordinary competitive bidding processes, and I'm therefore announcing that the department will be launching an independent external investigation, and according to Treasury advice, into the foundation phase national catalogue process.
“This investigation must be conducted urgently by a reputable, independent law firm with expertise, credibility, and capacity to withstand the scrutiny.”
Gwarube came under criticism after the tender allegations emerged, with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education also asking the Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, to investigate.
EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana said the textbook tender exposed deep rot within the department.
Shikwambana said Gwarube's referral of the tender to the National Treasury did not absolve her of accountability.
“You can't continue to hide behind the National Treasury and media statements while Parliament demand answers. You remain politically accountable for the conduct of the Department of Basic education,” he added.
Shikwambana said the DA had promised professionalism, merit and clean government, but 'within months of Gwarube being in office, there were allegations of political interference, manipulated recruitments and procurement controversies'.
In response, Gwarube said Shikwambana was just whining about phantom corruption in her office.
“Despite his best effort with his friends it was proven untrue, even in the political witchhunt in the portfolio committee.”
She noted that Shikwambana even went further to moan about her accent instead of speaking about the real issues facing children in education.
“I want to make it very clear that no matter how much you yearn for it, I will never allow cadre deployment under my watch. I will never allow theft to happen under my leadership,” she said.
“Those who wish to steal from the 13,7 million learners in our country, will have to come through me first and will find me ready,” said Gwarube.
DA MP Ciska Jordaan said critics had understood that Gwarube’s request for an investigation by the National Treasury was not meddling but a demonstration of ethical leadership.
“The DA will continue to support clean governance, accountability, public-private partnerships, innovation and evidence-based reforms in education,” Jordaan said.
Meanwhile, Gwarube announced a range of reforms within the department in her budget speech, themed “Strong foundations for strong futures”.
She said the ECD nutrition pilot has entered implementation.
“The contract was advertised in March 2026 and we will soon pilot ECD nutrition in centers in the Eastern Cape.”
The minister added that the department was reviewing the 2004 white paper on e-education and developing practical national guidance on the use of AI in classrooms.
The department has redirected R800 million from the ECD grant to address the immediate Grade R pressures after the National Treasury did not allocate full funding towards the appointment of Grade R practitioners.
“We will be continue engaging with National Treasury for sustainable long-term funding,” she added.
The minister said they were putting the regulations in place to support responsible implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, with more regulations to be published for comment.
“Work to amend the South African South African Schools Act to recognise and regulate online schools is also underway.”
Gwarube said a multi-disciplinary recovery technical support team will support provinces on budget planning, financial analysis, and school resourcing.
“When provincial education finances fail, learners suffer. Provinces must also ensure that norms and standards funding allocations are paid to schools on time.”
The minister added that 10,000 foundation phase teachers will receive targeted literacy and numeracy training.
“The review of the formula used to allocate teachers to schools is also expected to be concluded in this financial year, and this will make sure that teachers are allocated to the foundation phase,” she said.
The department will conduct the second systemic evaluation to measure national literacy and numeracy competencies in Grade three.
“We are also strengthening mother tongue-based bilingual education assessments in rolling out the general education certificate program to strengthen pathway planning and skills development,” said Gwarube.
ANC MP and portfolio committee chairperson Joy Maimela welcomed the strategic direction of the budget vote.
“At the heart of this budget lies the urgent responsibility to confront foundational learning crisis in literacy and numeracy. Without strong foundation in reading, writing and mathematics, meaningful transformation in education can't be achieve,” Maimela said.