Image:Department of Basic Education (DBE)
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has announced a significant boost to the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector, increasing the conditional grant to R1.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. The announcement was made during her tabling of the department’s budget vote in Parliament, where she emphasised the importance of strengthening foundational learning as a key strategy to improve education outcomes across the country.
Gwarube explained that the increased ECD grant is intended to address long-standing challenges in literacy and numeracy at the primary school level. She noted that a child’s early learning experiences play a critical role in their ability to succeed later in school, making early investment essential. “Our resources are directed where the greatest need exists and where we can make the most meaningful impact,” said the minister.
The total budget allocated to the Department of Basic Education has now reached R35 billion, reflecting an increase from the previous year. According to Gwarube, a portion of the ECD funding—over R30 million—has been set aside specifically for a pilot nutrition programme, which aims to tackle issues of hunger and malnutrition in young children. This, she said, is expected to improve concentration and learning outcomes among ECD learners.
In addition to funding for learning materials and teacher support, the minister announced that R162 million will be directed towards the improvement and expansion of ECD infrastructure. This includes the construction and refurbishment of ECD centres, particularly in under-resourced communities. The investment is part of a broader plan to ensure that every child has access to safe and conducive learning environments from an early age.
“Our goal is very clear — every child must enter Grade R ready to learn, emotionally, physically, and cognitively,” Gwarube stated. She stressed that the department’s long-term vision is to ensure that all children can read and do basic calculations by the age of 10. With the strengthened ECD grant and targeted interventions, the department hopes to close the learning gap early and lay the groundwork for future academic success.
