By Amy Musgrave

South Africa’s first education minister in democratic South Africa, Prof. Sibusiso Bengu, has died. He was 90.

According to a statement issued by his family on Tuesday, Bengu passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday.

“We will fondly remember him as a dear husband, father, uncle, grandfather, an educator, former Minister of Education and Ambassador amongst others,” his family said.

Bengu, who was born in Kranskop in May 1934, dedicated his life to education and the public service. He began his career as a teacher in 1952, and 17 years later he founded the Dlangezwa High School in what was then known as Natal. He was the principal until 1976.

After completing a PHD in Political Science at the University of Geneva, Bengu was appointed as a professor at the University of Zululand in 1977. Four years later he became the first black Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare.

From 1994 to 1997, Bengu served as education minister under Nelson Mandela.

While his first political home was the Inkatha Freedom Party, where he was the secretary-general, ideological differences between him and the late IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi that the party should become a democratic, mass-based organisation, led to his departure.

He later aligned with the African National Congress, becoming a trusted ally of Oliver Tambo.

The former government minister introduced Curriculum 2005, a proposal for transforming the approach of school education in South Africa.

But the plan was received negatively and criticised by teachers as well as opposition parties, which led to it being reviewed.

After the 1999 election, Bengu was named the ambassador to Germany, a position he served until his retirement from politics in 2003.

He received an honorary degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2009.

Bengu’s family said that funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course and asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

He is survived by his wife Funeka, four daughters and a son.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed an urgent application by the Special Action Committee (SAC) to halt the provincial education department from cutting over 2000 teaching posts.

The application demanded an immediate moratorium on the non-renewal of contracts, pending a ruling from the court to set aside the department’s decision.

Education MEC David Maynier, finance MEC Deidre Baartman and the provincial department were cited as respondents in the application.

Judge Melanie Holderness held that the SAC failed to prove urgency because it had delayed bringing the matter before the court since becoming aware of the announcement earlier in the year.

This follows Maynier’s announcement in August that the province would be cutting 2407 posts for the reappointment of temporary teachers in the 2024/25 financial year following a budget shortfall of R3.8 billion from the National Treasury’s budget cuts.

The SAC had also asked the court to compel the provincial education department and Maynier to consult and start a budgeting process involving all stakeholders to ensure that there was one teacher for every 30 learners in public schools.

The deadline to cut the posts is Tuesday. Cape Town is set to slash 1674 teaching posts, with the remainder being from the rest of the province.

Maynier previously defended his position and said the national government’s decision to not fully fund the 2023 multi-year wage agreement resulted in a massive deficit for provincial education departments.

The Western Cape is not the only province affected by the budget cuts. Some provinces, such as Gauteng, have said that they will make up for insufficient funding by cutting transport and school feeding schemes.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has activated its war room for the 2025 academic year to monitor and tackle potential challenges, ensuring a trouble-free start.

According to Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Buti Manamela, the department was on track with its planning for 2025 and that teams would be on the ground to provide leadership and swiftly address potential challenges.

The DHET’s University Education Branch would visit universities to observe how registration processes were unfolding on campuses.

The war room aims to ensure a collaborative approach with university management, Student Representative Councils, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the DHET to address concerns without disrupting the registration process and the beginning of the academic year.

The department has formed a steering committee comprising representatives from key stakeholders to address challenges and build on the lessons learnt from 2024. It is being overseen by Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.

Earlier this month, the steering committee heard from university registrars on plans to release registration data via a monitoring tool first used by the DHET in 2022.

The tool requires universities to provide data on applications received and spaces available for first-time students (undergraduates) per programme and faculty, emergency accommodation plans in place to assist students while they are waiting to finalise registration and accommodation placement, and the registration process (online, physical, assisted registration and extension).

A Central Application Clearing House provides an opportunity for learners who have yet to receive a place to study at a post-school higher education institution. It opens for sign-ups on 24 January 2025, more than a week after the announcement of the National Senior Certificate examinations on 13 January.

NSFAS concerns

When the department met registrars and the NSFAS in October to discuss and assess the readiness of universities and the scheme to start the 2025 academic year, the registrars raised concerns about the scheme’s preparation for the year. They stated that the issues that arose during the registration process in 2024 should be addressed before the start of 2025 registration.

These included delays in processing applications for funding, issuing confirmations, disbursement of allowances, processing of appeals and private accommodation-related matters.

Another concern for 2025 was safety and security.

Manamela said the DHET’s university branch was continuing to participate in the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure to strengthen its relationship and engagement with the Safety and Security cluster. Primarily, the need to ensure “vulnerable” first-year students were housed close to or on university premises and given necessary protection was paramount.

Universities of South Africa (USAf) chairperson Prof. Francis Petersen has warned that although the matric results would be released a week earlier, it would still pressure universities, especially in finalising the NSFAS funding list.

In 2025, 16 universities will start their academic year in January and 10 universities in February.

According to USAf, the enrolment capacity for universities in 2025 is 202,000. Most universities’ teaching and learning programmes will be face-to-face, incorporating blended methodologies to enhance them. At the same time, all universities have wi-fi on campus and in their residences.

USAf chief executive Dr Phethiwe Matutu has warned that 12 universities have indicated a shortage of accommodation.

She said they were concerned about the capacity of NSFAS to manage student accommodation allocations promptly.

“There is a need for NSFAS to consider university accommodation and university-leased accommodation first before private accommodation to ensure that public infrastructure is appropriately utilised,” she said.

The NSFAS plans to finish processing all 2025 applications by 31 January 2025, with upfront payments for all students including Health Sciences expected to be paid by early January.

The upfront payment for universities is based on the total amount of the 2024 academic year, which is expected to represent 10% of the total amount paid.  One month’s payment is equal to this sum, estimated at R3,716,973,899.31. The funding is intended to cover personal care, living expenses, travel, books and accommodation.

For TVETS, each college receives an annual tuition allocation which stipulates the total amount to be utilised towards tuition payments for qualifying NSFAS students. The upfront payment to be advanced is based on 20% of each TVET college tuition allocation. Therefore, R641,013,350.00 will be paid as tuition upfront to TVET colleges by the 10 January.

Student concerns

The SA Technical Vocational Education and Training Student Association (Satvetsa), which represents the interests of the students across all 50 TVET colleges, has been engaging the DHET on implementing SRC recommendations to ensure the smooth operation of campuses.

The association has warned there are a number of issues which could disturb the smooth opening of the 2025 academic year, including:

•  Some institutions do not have SRC members, which creates communication barriers between students and management;

•  The issue of campus safety is still a significant challenge at campuses;

•  Poor maintenance in college-owned residences;

•  Colleges not supporting Satvetsa and SRC members (some not affiliated to the structure); and

•  The lack of institutions having partnerships with the private sector for students’ placements, resulting in them having to stay at home.

The SA Union of Students has warned that the registration period is a make-or-break moment for the higher education sector, and failure to resolve fundamental matters that hinder access, particularly for low-income and working-class students, creates unnecessary tensions.

Stability in NSFAS and its systems are critical for a smooth and peaceful take-off for the 2025 academic year.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

Basic Minister Siviwe Gwarube must feel like she has egg on her face.

The minister boycotted the signing of Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela) Act on 13 September 2024 because she was opposed to it in its current form with the main sticking points being the diminished authority of governing bodies concerning admission and language policy.

This was driven by Afrikaner civic body AfriForum, the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front +.

After three months of deliberations around the contentious sections 4 and 5, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the full implementation of the Act. One cannot gauge whether anything substantial has changed, but Gwarube has no choice but to implement the regulations.

Ramaphosa’s decision amid severe politicking provides certainty and stops in the tracks efforts by right-wing organisations to use the laws meant for everyone for the benefit of a few. As part of Bela, white privilege should become a thing of the past – well at least on paper – until government delivers on the regulations aimed at levelling the education playing fields in the country.

What this debacle has clearly shown is that 30 years of democracy has not eliminated apartheid from the heart and minds of some in the Rainbow Nation. Schools remain a hotbed of racism, with deepening inequality and disparities in infrastructure having grown.

To her credit, in a briefing to Parliament, Gwarube said she would not allow politicking around the implementation of the Act. She is committed to making a difference for all children in South Africa. Ironically, the minister played politics when she boycotted the Presidential signing ceremony in September.

But having brokered a deal with Afriforum, which threatened legal action, as is their custom to protect Afrikaner rights, which mind you are guaranteed in the Constitution, she now says that she is committed to driving Bela. Whatever Gwarube and the DA have done to broker the deal, after all the tension, South Africa is the winner.

One wishes Gwarube strength as she understands the nuts and bolts of Bela and its efforts to transform education for all in South Africa.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) says the Bill was passed with overwhelming support in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, therefore, there was no justification for delaying the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 for further consultation as this undermined the wide-ranging legitimate processes conducted over many years in which all the parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) participated.

Sadtu said that South Africa’s legislators would no longer be held to ransom by those who could not get rid of their apartheid hats.

Thirty years of democracy should be celebrated by ensuring that citizens are put first instead of always being at the mercy of those who want to subject the country to the whims of a minority.

Bela is about opening the doors for learning for all.

Most crucial to the debate is how Bela Act will be funded. The government must explain how it will fund the implementation of the regulations.

One estimate suggests that it will cost around R16 billion to implement the clauses. This against a backdrop of teacher cutbacks raises more questions than answers government can provide.

Before rejoicing, let’s understand how Bela will be rolled out – and whether Gwarube will be given the resources to make it happen.

Edwin Naidu is Editor of Inside Education.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The Information Regulator of South Africa has hit the Department of Basic Education with a R5 million fine for not upholding its last notice, which blocked the department from publishing the 2024 matric results in national papers.

The regulator issued an Infringement Notice to the department on Monday (23 December) in which it ordered the DBE to pay an administrative fine of R5 million following its failure to comply with the Enforcement Notice issued on 18 November 2024.

The regulator had issued the Enforcement Notice following the finding of the contravention of various sections of the POPIA by the DBE.

The Enforcement Notice had ordered the DBE to provide an undertaking “that it will not publish the results of the 2024 matriculants in the newspapers” within 31 days from the date on which the order was served.

It also ordered that the department “must not publish the results for the 2024 matriculants in newspapers and must make these results available to the learners using methods that are compliant with POPIA.”

The Regulator indicated that should the DBE fail to abide by the Enforcement Notice within the stipulated timeframe, “it will be guilty of an offence, in terms of which the Regulator may impose an administrative fine in the amount not exceeding R10 million, or liable upon conviction to a fine or to imprisonment of the responsible officials”.

The 31 days given to the department expired on 19 December 2024.

“To date, the department has not provided the Regulator with an undertaking that it will not publish the results of the 2024 matriculants in the newspapers as ordered in the Enforcement Notice or any other communication in that regard.

“The DBE had the right to appeal the Enforcement Notice in terms of section 97(1) of POPIA. POPIA provides, amongst others, that if an appeal is brought, the Enforcement Notice need not be complied with pending the determination or withdrawal of the appeal.

“The Regulator had not been served with the appeal application by close of business on 19 December 2024 despite media reports that the DBE had lodged an appeal against the decision of the Regulator in the High Court,” the regulator said.

Explaining the decision of the Regulator, Adv Pansy Tlakula, the chairperson of the Regulator, said, “We understand it from media reports that the DBE intends to publish the matric results in the newspapers on or about 13 January 2025, something which it is prohibited from doing by the enforcement notice issued by the Regulator.

“The DBE cannot disobey lawfully issued orders of the Regulator without following the procedure stipulated in POPIA. The two orders issued by the Information Regulator against the DBE have the fullest legal force and effect and must be complied with by the DBE until set aside or suspended by an appeal served upon the Regulator timeously.”

The Regulator said it had not yet been served with the DBE’s appeal against the orders issued against it.

“For this reason, these orders remain of full force and effect and must be complied with. In terms of POPIA, a responsible party who fails to comply with an enforcement notice is guilty of an offence, and the Regulator may cause to be delivered by hand an infringement notice to a responsible party who has committed an offence as provided for in section 109(1) of POPIA. The DBE has failed to comply with the enforcement notice.”

Since the Regulator has not received the DBE’s undertaking not to publish the results of the 2024 matriculants in the newspapers, the DBE is in breach of the orders issued by the Regulator.

The DBE now has 30 days from 23 December 2024 to pay the administrative fine or make arrangements with the Regulator to pay the administrative fine in instalments or elect to be tried in court on a charge of having committed the alleged offence referred in terms of POPIA.

BUSINESS TECH

By Staff Reporter

Payments for the 9390 markers and examination assistants employed by KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 National Senior Certificate were processed on Monday, according to education MEC Sipho Hlomuka.

The second run would be executed on 6 January.

Marking commenced at the start of the month and finished on 10 December, meeting the department’s deadline.

Hlomuka said that all payments would be finalised before Tuesday.

“Our markers and assistants play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of our education system by ensuring the accurate and timely processing of learners’ examination scripts.

“Their dedication and hard work deserve recognition, and we are committed to supporting them in every way possible,” he said in a statement.

The department extended its gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed towards reaching the goal and ensuring that no delays were encountered in the payment process.

The MEC has wished all markers, examination assistants and their families a joyous festive season and a prosperous new year.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

The EFF has lashed out at President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration for delaying the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act.

In a strongly worded statement, the EFF accused the government of bowing to pressure from right-wing groups, including the Democratic Alliance and AfriForum, to hinder progressive reforms in South Africa’s education system.

The Act seeks to centralise control over school admissions and language policies.

Clauses 4 and 5 of the Act deal transfer decision-making power from School Governing Bodies to provincial Heads of Departments, a move aimed at fostering inclusivity in schools.

These changes, however, have faced opposition from groups the EFF claims are working to preserve “Afrikanerdom” within the education sector.

The implementation of the contentious clauses was postponed by three months to allow for further consultations.

The EFF claims the delay was politically motivated, aimed at appeasing the DA and other conservative elements within the Government of National Unity (GNU). The EFF is not a member of the GNU.

The party also condemned the GNU’s clearing house mechanism, saying it enabled the African National Congress and DA to revise laws behind closed doors.

EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said it undermined democratic processes and compromised the integrity of legislation.

“The clearing of house mechanism of the GNU is not a democratic or oversight instrument other and therefore holds no legal jurisdiction to review the laws which are adopted by the of the National Assembly nor is it established by any provision of the Constitution of South Africa,” she said in a statement.

“It is a collaboration of political parties which have assigned ministerial positions to each National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.”

The EFF raised concerns about alleged compromises made during private negotiations, warning that these could dilute the transformative goals of the Bela Act.

The EFF also cautioned Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube against obstructing the Act’s implementation. The minister is in charge of putting systems and regulations in place to ensue that the law is implemented in its entirety.

The party demanded severe consequences for the minister, including possible removal, should delays persist.

“Should there be any prolonged and politically motivated delay, the Minister of Basic Education must face severe consequences,” Mathys said.

The EFF has further accused the ANC of abandoning progressive policies to preserve its alliance with right-wing groups in the GNU coalition.

The party argued that the delays in implementing the Bela Act reflected a broader pattern of governance undermined by political expediency.

“The ANC has shown that it is willing to sacrifice transformative legislation to appease its coalition partners, undermining the very democracy it claims to uphold,” said Mathys.

Despite these setbacks, the EFF pledged to continue supporting progressive legislation while scrutinising any compromises that could weaken the Act’s objectives.

“The education of our children should never be subjected to petty electioneering or the appeasement of reactionary forces,” she said.

Gwarube warned over the weekend that the law must not be used as a political football, and has announced deadlines to implement parts of the Act.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is adamant that the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act must not be turned into a political tool for sowing divisions on the language of instruction at schools.

Responding to reactions in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration on the immediate implementation of the Act, Gwarube said the law must not be used to undermine any language that was selected for teaching and learning.

“I will not tolerate any weaponising of this legislation for political means. The future of this country and our learners depends on us doing our work,” she said.

Briefing the media in Cape Town on Saturday, the minister stressed her leadership in establishing the guidelines, norms and standards, and regulations needed to implement the law.

Gwarube said that it was important to note that the timelines would be set by her.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that this Act will be implemented, and its implementation will be led by me,” she said.

The minister said that the implementation would be done in a manner that protected the rights of all children and schools from victimisation in any form, and at all times.

She has instructed her team to immediately develop guidelines that would be sent to all public schools and provincial education departments by the end of January, in order to support school governing bodies and the departments in implementing certain sections of the Act.

Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union has welcomed the announcement of the full implementation of the Act.

Sadtu, which is South Africa’s biggest teacher union, praised the legislation as it ensured the educational needs of all learners and empowered provincial education departments to determine school language and admission policies.

“Our voices have finally been heard. We are happy that the attempts of right-wing formations to manipulate the law for the benefit of a select few were unsuccessful,” the union stated.

However, the Afrikaans-aligned Solidarity Movement, which has been an ardent critic of the law, specifically sections 4 and 5 that deal with language and admission policies at schools, has waned it is ready for legal action.

Spokesperson Werner Human said the movement would thoroughly evaluate the final proclamation and asses the constitutional validity of the legislation.

He said the movement stood ready to act if there was any attempt to force schools to implement sections 4 and 5 at this stage.

“The Solidarity Movement, including Solidarity, AfriForum and the Solidarity School Support Centre, will challenge any form of intimidation against schools in court and reserves their right to challenge the proclamation in court, depending on how it is published in the Government Gazette,” Human said.

The minister will have to facilitate practical solutions to effectively implement the legislation, as signed by the Ramaphosa and agreed to by the clearing house mechanism of the Government of National Unity.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

After waiting for more than three months, South Africans have clarity on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act. It will be implemented in its entirety, including the contentious Sections 4 and 5, and is effective immediately.

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the Act’s critical role on Friday in ensuring equitable access to quality education for all children, regardless of their circumstance, language or location.

“This Act is vital to the transformation of the education system in our country. The Act is an important part of ongoing efforts to build an education system that is more effective and more equitable in line with the precepts of our Constitution,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

He reaffirmed that the Constitution guaranteed the right to receive education in the official language of one’s choice, where reasonably practicable, and noted that the law was a crucial step in addressing systemic inequalities and preparing children for success in life.

“We must ensure that no language is diminished. Rather, we must work to ensure that all official languages are valued and promoted,” he said.

Ramaphosa stressed that last week, the GNU clearing house submitted its final report, recommending the full implementation of the legislation without returning it to Parliament for amendments.

“The GNU clearing house participants agreed that the Act be fully implemented. This view was endorsed by the leaders of the parties to the GNU in a meeting I held with them today,” he said.

Ramaphosa has instructed Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to see to the full implementation of the legislation, ensuring that the education system was prepared for universal Grade R access and developing consequential regulations outlining the norms and standards for implementation.

The president called on all officials and bodies involved in the Act’s implementation to uphold constitutional principles, policies and regulations, emphasising the need to prioritise equality and quality in education.

“We must leave no child behind. Let us ensure that our children get the best education so that they can take our beautiful country and diverse nation forward to a prosperous future,” he said.

The announcement comes on the backdrop of weeks of increasing tension, with Solidarity and AfriForum insisting on the Act being implemented with Sections 4 and 5, concerning language and admission, be suspended until norms and regulations have been finalised.

Conversely, the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union had threatened legal and protest action unless Ramaphosa implemented the legislation in full.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

The Western Cape’s Back-on-Track programme, launched in 2023 to address the devastating learning losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, has delivered groundbreaking results. 

A recent independent evaluation by Stellenbosch University’s Research on Socio-Economic Policy revealed that Grade 7 learners in isiXhosa-medium schools achieved gains in maths equivalent to over 200 additional school days of learning.

The R1.2 billion initiative by the Western Cape education department specifically targeted pivotal years, Grades 4 and 7, through focused interventions for learners and innovative coaching for teachers. 

The outcomes highlight both the potential of targeted education programmes and the urgent need to expand such efforts to address systemic inefficiencies.

The programme combined learner specific Saturday classes and a teacher focused “1+9” coaching model, where educators received one day of intensive training followed by nine days of in-class implementation. 

The interventions aimed to bridge foundation gaps, particularly for learners in disadvantaged schools.

In Grade 4 Afrikaans medium classes, learners made equally impressive strides in language, gaining nearly 190 school days’ worth of progress. 

Meanwhile, teacher coaching proved transformative in English medium Grade 4 mathematics, achieving gains equivalent to 165 extra school days.

Despite the remarkable achievements of the programme, the evaluation revealed several systemic challenges that limited its overall impact. 

Participation rates were notably low, with only 3% of Grade 4 learners and 2% of Grade 7 learners attending more than half of the scheduled sessions. 

Additionally, data limitations hindered a comprehensive assessment of the programme’s effectiveness, as researchers were unable to directly link specific learners to the teachers who participated in the coaching interventions. 

This likely led to an underestimation of the full impact of the teacher focused component.

The evaluation also highlighted a critical issue – learners transitioning from African home languages to English as the medium of instruction in Grade 4 faced compounded difficulties due to pandemic disruptions. 

These learners benefited greatly from focused interventions, but the challenge remains vast and urgent.

While the Western Cape’s targeted approach has been effective, most other provinces lack similar interventions or the systemic testing needed to identify and address learning losses, Stellenbosch University said in a statement. 

It said as a result, learners across South Africa were likely falling further behind, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The success of the Back-on-Track programme demonstrated the value of targeted, evidence-based initiatives. 

However, scaling these efforts and addressing systemic inefficiencies would be essential for lasting change, the university said.

It said by strategically directing resources toward foundational learning years, policymakers could help ensure that all learners had the opportunity to overcome pandemic induced setbacks.

INSIDE EDUCATION