dbelatest news & developments
Basic education minister, Siviwe Gwarube. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo)

Equal Education slams Gwarube over claim that 90% of schools now in a better condition

According to the department of basic education, 93% of 3 372 pit latrines have been replaced with appropriate sanitation facilities

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
The data from research centre Intelpoint suggests the majority of the population aged 15 years and older possesses basic reading and writing skills.

South Africa has second highest rate of literate adults in Africa

But this starkly contrasts with the literacy problems faced by the younger population, particularly in the early primary grades

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
An organisation says the devices reduce children’s ability to concentrate and learn effectively. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Push for phone-free schools

An organisation says the devices reduce children’s ability to concentrate and learn effectively

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
(John McCann/M&G)

Gauteng education department taken to court over special needs learners

Pupils at Filadelfia Secondary School have reported neglect and sexual harassment, but the provincial department has failed to intervene

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
The Western Cape education department says it has filled 477 teacher posts despite announcing last year that 2 407 contract teachers would not be reappointed as a result of severe budget cuts.(Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Thuli Dlamini)

Western Cape fills 477 teacher posts after cutting 2 407 contract positions last year

The department says the reduction in teaching posts has increased the projected average teacher-to-learner ratio from 1:34.2 in 2024 to 1:36.7 this year

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Quality assurer Umalusi said it found no discrepancies during its evaluation of the 2024 NSC examinations

Matric assessment institute refutes claims it has unfairly failed learners

Quality assurer Umalusi said it found no discrepancies during its evaluation of the 2024 NSC examinations

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
The department of basic education says it is willing to discuss language policies in the controversial Basic Education Law Amendment (Bela) Act, in the wake of legal action taken by trade union Solidarity.

Basic education department open to consultation on Bela Act language policies

Trade union Solidarity has said that the new law alienates Afrikaans-speaking learners

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Limpopo’s Dr MJ Madiba Secondary School alumni have launched #50ToFifty to raise R20 000 for school infrastructure. (File photo)

Education departments say school placements are done but frustrated parents claim otherwise

One Gauteng parent said her child had been rejected by a school near her home for a second year, due to overcrowding

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube. (X)

DA says it wants matric pass mark ‘incrementally’ increased to 50%

It’s detractors say the party has accepted the 30% pass because it is enjoying the benefits of the government of national unity

  • Umamah Bakharia
6 min read
Equal Education members engaging in a peaceful demonstration during basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube’s announcement of the matric results in Randburg on Monday. Picture: Equal Education

Education movements slam high dropout rate for matric class of 2024

The Zero Dropout Campaign has cautioned that the department of basic education should take heed of ‘early warning signs’ to assist learners

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
South Africa has made strides in ensuring access to primary school education for children despite their socio-economic status or geographic location, according to a global study. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Thuli Dlamini)

Study finds SA has improved primary school education

But the TIMSS report says language barriers have disadvantaged many children in achieving success in science and maths

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
In an urgent application brought before the Johannesburg high court, the Equal Education Law Centre wants the right to early childhood development (ECD) to become part of the right to a basic education.

Gauteng education department has ‘no duty’ to provide ECD centres

The Equal Education Law Centre has launched an application against the department over its failure to provide education to children affected by last year’s Usindiso fire

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
This drone view, taken from the Public Protector’s report, indicates the wetland and 32m buffer taken at the time of the survey, indicating the construction of the platforms and ground dumps in the northern part of the site.

Gauteng education says it will implement remedial actions in PP report on improper construction of R82m school

The investigation originates from a complaint lodged by Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane in September 2020

  • Umamah Bakharia
6 min read
Struggle: Schoolchildren often cannot go to school when roads and buildings have been damaged. Photo: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

Report: Schools unprepared for climate crisis

Learners have been adversely affected by damage to schools from extreme weather events such as floods

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Ministers will assess progress since the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2024) commitment to end learning poverty within a decade, alongside the declarations from last year’s Continental Conference on Education in Mauritania. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Ramaphosa unlikely to sign Bela bill into law before new administration is in place

The Democratic Alliance has objected to amendments in the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill, saying that it takes power away from parents, and gives it to the government

  • Umamah Bakharia
6 min read
File photo by Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

Grade 9 certificate to be rolled out at 1000 schools, but shouldn’t be seen as ‘exit option’

The general education certificate will recognise learner achievements at the end of the compulsory schooling phase

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
Among other things, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill calls for grade R to be compulsory school-starting age

Equal Education calls for swift adoption of Bela bill

Among other things, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill calls for grade R to be the compulsory school-starting age This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read