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By Thapelo Molefe
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called for a deliberate and practical partnership between the government, universities and communities to transform the education system in the Free State.
She said global priorities must connect directly to local classrooms.
Speaking at the G20 Free State Indaba, Gwarube said South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 came with a commitment to take the G20 to the people, ensuring that policies shaped internationally reflected the realities of learners and teachers across the country.
“This is about ensuring that global debates on education are not abstract, but connected to the classrooms in Thaba Nchu, the early childhood centres in QwaQwa, the high schools of Bloemfontein and the rural schools stretching across the province,” she said.
Gwarube outlined key priorities aligned with G20 education goals, including improving foundational literacy and numeracy, strengthening teacher professional development in the face of technological and environmental change, and expanding early childhood development (ECD) access.
She stressed that while high-performing countries like Finland and Singapore offered lessons, South Africa needed its own approach rooted in local realities and aimed at transformation.
The minister proposed six key focus areas for the Free State, starting with aligning policies between the national department, the provincial education department and local universities to ensure a coordinated approach to teacher training and education priorities.
She also called for the creation of professional learning communities that linked subject advisers with academics to share best practices and strengthen the bridge between theory and classroom reality.
Addressing the challenge of teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas, Gwarube emphasised the need to match teacher supply with demand.
She further highlighted the importance of strengthening teaching practice placements for student teachers to give them relevant exposure, as well as smoothing the transition from university to classrooms through aligned induction programmes.
Lastly, she urged for joint monitoring, evaluation and research to inform evidence-based reforms tailored to the province’s specific needs.
“If we commit to these actions, we will align teacher education with national and provincial priorities, close the gaps between oversupply in some subjects and shortages in others, and treat teacher development as a lifelong journey,” Gwarube said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
