Education as a moral imperative: Why SA’s future begins in early childhood

Education, particularly in the early years, is a tangible expression of hope. It is an investment in the future that yields returns far beyond academic achievement. It reduces crime, fosters economic growth and strengthens social cohesion.

Each child who is able to access quality learning is a child empowered to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to society. Few issues reveal the country’s inequalities as starkly as education, particularly in the earliest years of a child’s life. SA’s post-apartheid democracy has, for 32 years, been entrusted with the monumental task of providing quality education for all.

While policy frameworks and initiatives have been developed, the reality on the ground is often starkly different. The journey from grade 1 to matric is not simply an academic path. It is a battle against systemic inequality, social neglect and, at times, the inability of families to provide the support children need.

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According to the department of basic education, 1.18-million children started grade 1 in SA in 2014. Of that cohort, 746,110 wrote the national senior certificate in 2025. Of those, 345,857 achieved a bachelor’s pass, while 209,292 achieved a diploma.

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