13 May 2026
The ANC Study Group on Basic Education expresses profound concern regarding the deeply troubling developments within the Department of Basic Education (DBE) surrounding the National Catalogue for the Foundation Phase. These developments are not isolated incidents, but rather symptomatic of a broader pattern of administrative dysfunction, weak governance, poor accountability, and institutional instability that has increasingly characterised the Department.
The Study Group has consistently warned that the DBE cannot continue operating on autopilot while critical systems that underpin teaching, learning, and curriculum delivery steadily deteriorate under weak oversight and apparent internal disarray. The latest developments further reinforce the urgent need for decisive intervention to restore integrity, accountability, and public confidence within the Department.
The process relating to the development and release of the National Catalogue appears to have been compromised by serious procedural irregularities and possible administrative malfeasance. Equally concerning are the disturbing parallels between this matter and previous controversies surrounding the recruitment processes for senior positions within the Department, including Directors, Deputy Director-Generals, and Chief Directors.
What is emerging is a dangerous institutional culture where governance failures, administrative inconsistency, and lack of consequence management are becoming entrenched. This cannot be normalised in a democratic developmental state committed to building a capable, ethical, and responsive public service.
At a time when South Africa is confronted by alarming literacy and numeracy challenges, deep educational inequality, and the urgent need to improve learner outcomes, the DBE should be singularly focused on strengthening curriculum delivery, supporting teachers, and improving the quality of learning in classrooms. Instead, the Department is increasingly consumed by internal contradictions, instability, and governance failures that undermine its constitutional mandate.
The ANC Study Group is particularly alarmed by the apparent disjuncture between the political leadership and the administrative leadership of the Department. It is increasingly evident that there is no coherent centre of authority, strategic alignment, or collective accountability within the DBE. The Department cannot effectively execute its mandate when its leadership appears fragmented, contradictory, and unable to act with unity of purpose.
This state of affairs undermines the confidence of Parliament, education stakeholders, teachers, parents, and the broader public. More importantly, it directly prejudices millions of learners whose future depends on the existence of a functional, ethical, and professionally managed education system.
The ANC Study Group wishes to state unequivocally that procurement systems, recruitment processes, curriculum support mechanisms, and governance structures within the DBE must be beyond reproach. Any perception of manipulation, interference, favouritism, factional conduct, or procedural misconduct fundamentally weakens the credibility of the Department and erodes public trust in state institutions.
In defence of accountability, clean governance, and the integrity of public education, the ANC Study Group has therefore made the following firm recommendations to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education:
- That the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee urgently writes to the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, requesting a full investigation into the recruitment processes relating to the two Deputy Director-General (DDG) positions, as well as the Chief Director: Communications and Liaison post within the Department, and that a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations be submitted to Parliament without delay.
- That the Chairperson further writes to the Public Protector to request an urgent investigation into the development and release of the National Catalogue for the Foundation Phase, including the role, conduct, and possible accountability of the Minister, Deputy Minister, Director-General, and all implicated officials involved in the process.
The ANC Study Group remains unwavering in its commitment to defending the integrity of public institutions, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that the DBE functions in a manner consistent with the values of constitutional democracy, ethical governance, and developmental transformation.
South Africa’s learners deserve a Department of Basic Education that is stable, disciplined, professional, and capable of advancing the transformative objectives of the democratic state.
The future of our children cannot be compromised by administrative failures, internal incoherence, or weak governance. The time for decisive accountability and institutional correction is now.
Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Basic Education: Hon Tshepo Louw
For enquiries
Please contact: 0641473276
Cde: Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer