The 2026 lekgotla ended with clear reforms for the basic education sector, focusing on strengthening early development as a national priority, foundational learning for a resilient system, innovation and partnerships for the future. The lekgotla commenced on Tuesday in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, with basic education ministerSiviwe Gwarubebriefing the media on strengthening the foundations of learning. She said the department will prioritise early reading and maths, and expand teacher training in effective teaching methods, especially for early literacy and numeracy.
This, by strengthening how teachers are taught to teach reading and maths, and increasing support for teachers in underdeveloped areas. This included high-quality, age-appropriate, grade-specific learning and teaching materials and content that is relevant and supports understanding. The department of basic education (DBE) launched theBana Pele early childhood development (ECD) registrationin 2024.
It ensures that every young child in South Africa has access to a quality ECD programme. Gwarube said the programme needs to be anchored in early learning from birth to age nine as a core part of the system-expanding ECD access, and real-time programmes for reading and literacy. “In so doing, progress can be tracked year by year rather than waiting for later grades.“ she said She also highlighted the need to improve learner support systems to prevent dropouts, particularly in poorer communities.
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While Gwarube praised the matric class of 2025 for an88% pass rate, she said school safety was another issue that the department will focus on. Speaking at day 2 of lekgotla on Wednesday,President Cyril Ramaphosasaid the major crisis was the country’s dropout rate. He pointed out that most pupils leave school between grades 10 and 12, where pressure increases, and support is often invisible. “We need to pay attention to the reasons learners drop out — from financial pressure to poor academic performance to increasing domestic responsibilities — and provide psychosocial support to those facing challenges in their home situation.” He said the matter required serious urgency, calling on the department, teachers, parents and communities to counsel pupils who are contemplating leaving and to work together to ensure that they complete their schooling.
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