Honourable House Chairperson,
Honourable Members,
Distinguished Guests, Fellow South Africans,
This Budget Vote on Basic Education represents more than a routine allocation of funds; it reasserts the African National Congress’s steadfast dedication to advancing a just, inclusive, and high-quality education system that ensures every child is afforded the opportunity to thrive.
As we reflect on the progress made, we must equally confront the deep-rooted disparities that persist across our school infrastructure landscape. This allocation must speak boldly to the urgent task of equitable resource distribution, prioritising historically marginalised communities and ensuring that every learner, from the most remote rural classroom to the township corridor, has access to safe, dignified, and conducive learning environments. It is only through deliberate and targeted investments in infrastructure that we can lay the physical foundation for meaningful transformation. The ANC understands that quality basic education is the most powerful tool we possess to break the chains of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. It is the key to unlocking the full potential of every South African child, regardless of their background or geographical location. This budget reflects our unwavering dedication to building an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education system that truly serves all.
Honourable Members, a fundamental pillar of our commitment is ensuring equitable resource allocation and robust infrastructure development. We recognise that a conducive learning environment is not a luxury, but a necessity. Therefore, we commend the significant strides made by the 6th administration under the leadership of former Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, who laid the groundwork for the transformative progress that this budget seeks to build upon and expand.
Her tenure made significant progress in ensuring access to basic services, such as water, electricity, and sanitation, in schools across our nation. While challenges remain, the statistics indicate a clear upward trend in the provision of these essential services, transforming many previously disadvantaged schools into environments where effective teaching and learning can truly occur. This restores dignity and creates a foundation for healthy and productive learning.
Furthermore, this budget accelerates the efforts in infrastructure development. We are not just building schools; we are creating futures. The construction of new classrooms is a direct response to the urgent need to address overcrowding, ensuring that our children learn in spaces that are conducive to concentration and engagement, not congestion. Beyond classrooms, this government should invest in sports and recreational facilities. These are vital spaces that keep our youth engaged, healthy, and away from the social ills that plague our communities, such as crime and substance abuse. A healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand in fostering well-rounded citizens.
Honourable Members, the world is rapidly evolving, and our education system must evolve with it. This budget underscores our commitment to modernising education through comprehensive curriculum reform. We are preparing our learners not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities. A key aspect of this modernisation is the inclusion of coding and robotics in our curriculum. This forward-thinking initiative equips our children with critical 21st-century skills, fostering innovation, problem-solving, and computational thinking, skills essential for participation in the digital economy.
Crucially, we are also committed to expanding access to reliable internet connectivity in our schools. In an increasingly interconnected world, digital literacy is no longer an option but a fundamental right. By bridging the digital divide, we ensure that learners in both rural and urban areas have access to a wealth of information and learning resources, opening up new avenues for exploration and knowledge acquisition.
Honourable Members, our vision encompasses building a developmentally responsive and labour-oriented education system. We are shaping an education system that not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates a deep understanding of our history and prepares our youth for the world of work. The reintroduction of history as a compulsory subject is a testament to our commitment to fostering a strong sense of national identity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for our rich heritage. Our children must understand where they come from to know where they are going.
The three-stream model is another innovative approach, allowing learners to pursue academic, vocational, or occupational pathways, catering to diverse talents and career aspirations. This ensures that every learner has a path to success, whether through higher education or direct entry into the workforce. The General Education and Training Certificate further strengthens this foundation, providing a robust qualification for those who have completed the basic education phase.
Honourable House Chairperson, our commitment to inclusivity remains steadfast. This budget must ensure that our resources are responsive to the unique needs of learners with disabilities and special needs. We are committed to developing an education system that values every child, regardless of their abilities, and supports them in reaching their full potential.
This includes early screening initiatives to identify special needs promptly, allowing for timely intervention and support. Furthermore, the government is allocating resources for specialised infrastructure and learning materials tailored to the specific requirements of learners with disabilities. This is about creating accessible and enabling environments where every child can thrive.
As I conclude, Honourable Speaker, the Basic Education Budget Vote is a clear articulation of the GNU’s vision for a brighter future for all South Africans. It is a budget that prioritises equitable access, modern infrastructure, relevant curriculum, and inclusive support. It is a budget that invests in our children, in our communities, and the very fabric of our nation.
We acknowledge that the journey is ongoing, and challenges persist. However, with this budget, we are taking decisive steps forward, building on the solid foundations laid by previous administrations and accelerating our progress. Let us unite in supporting this budget, for in doing so, we are investing in the most precious resource our nation possesses: our children.
I thank you.