Moving South Africa's education needle

Recent budget allocations reflect the government's commitment to strengthening the system, particularly through teacher retention and early childhood development. Nevertheless, increasing demand, lack of infrastructure and the need to retain skilled teachers remain pressing. Funding isn't just about numbers; It is about nurturing talent, reducing inequality and building a workforce capable of driving long-term growth.

financing changes

“We are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2026 allocation for the education sector as the Finance Minister presents his budget to the nation today,” says Professor Zaheer Hamid, Director and Chief Academic Officer, MANCOSA. In the 2025 budget, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced significant allocations to strengthen South Africa's education system. Among the highlights was an additional R19.1bn dedicated to retaining approximately 11,000 teachers, a move welcomed by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education as an important step to keep classrooms functional and ensure continuity in learning.

The Minister also emphasized the expansion of early childhood development (ECD) programmes, with funding for these initiatives increased from R1.8bn to R3bn. This investment is especially important for rural communities, where access to structured early childhood education is limited.

“South Africa needs to address many challenges to become a continental leader in education,” says Professor Hamid.

Taking ownership and adopting modern education

Hamid says that, although the government has significantly changed the education landscape since 1994, there are ongoing challenges that need to be addressed if South Africa is to solve some of the social and economic problems it currently faces. “We need to be aware of the challenges inherent in the system and address them to take ownership of the education agenda,” says Professor Hamid.

An important area is access to education. Although funding for the education system has increased, lack of access to quality education in all areas remains a serious challenge. “The government needs to not only ensure that the sector is adequately funded but also that the schemes and initiatives announced in the budget are implemented,” says Hamid.

Professor Hamid explains that access to education has always been an important issue in South Africa. This challenge highlights not only that most South African schools are located in urban centres, but also that the cost of education is often beyond the reach of many South Africans.

Professor Hamid says, “The democratization of information has had a major impact on the education environment. Education providers are not the only providers of education in the modern world. However, access remained a major issue until recently. With almost half the population in South Africa having access to a smartphone (according to Statista, 26.3 million users in 2023), there is more access to education than ever before.”

So, while many institutions remain wary of the future impact of technology, it also provides them with an important opportunity to rethink the value and purpose of the education they provide. It also gives a platform to these institutions to significantly increase their student population.

In the traditional education model, students and learners placed significant trust on the teacher or lecturer on the stage, who was seen as a sage or source of knowledge, imparting education to them.

This trust has extended towards technology. As a result, teachers and lecturers are increasingly taking on the role of guiding learners and students in a world where a myriad of information is available at the click of a button. Professor Hamid says, “Critical thinking is a quality that teachers have always encouraged. It is becoming even more important as teachers need to encourage students and learners to interrogate the validity of the information they have.”

bridging the digital divide

While Mancosa believes that technology will positively impact the education landscape, it also comes with challenges.

The first challenge is the digital divide. South Africa is a developing country; Therefore, issues such as access to technology and cost of data are challenges that need to be addressed. Additionally, not all students have the same basic technology skills. “As leaders in education, it is important for us to find solutions and means to bridge this divide,” says Professor Hamid.

Then there are the ethical aspects of generic AI that worry teachers. Professor Hamid says, “When teachers were the gatekeepers of information, knowledge could be presented to students with greater context and through critical thought. However, the unrestricted nature of information access is one of the challenges of technology. The current challenge is that all the information in existence is instantly available to anyone at the click of a button. In this context, it is important that people have the critical thinking and digital literacy skills required to navigate this landscape.”

Professor Hamid points out that there are many previous examples of similar concerns about the impact of technology. For example, when the scientific calculator was invented, teachers were concerned about students' ability to perform trigonometry. However, these calculators proved to be helpful for the students.

Professor Hamid says, “We would be remiss to say that technology does not come with challenges and these challenges are indeed worrisome. The technology is not going away, and early adopters can adapt their systems and processes to gain greater control over the narrative around the impact of the technology. Mancosa is very excited about the future.”

Reimagining tertiary education

Moving to the tertiary sector, space is becoming increasingly limited, especially in public universities. “If a university is basing admissions on a points system, they will take students who are at the higher end of the spectrum of the points system, and those who just make the cut will have to resort to their second, third or fourth preferred career,” says Professor Hamid. He says another major challenge students face is funding.

More efforts need to be made to increase access to education in all areas. In this context, private higher education institutions have emerged as important players in bridging the access gap. Professor Hamid says, “The commitment of technology-based tertiary education providers to provide flexible learning solutions, including online learning, caters to a diverse student body, many of whom balance study with professional commitments. This adaptability not only broadens access but also aligns with contemporary educational trends, ensuring that learning is both relevant and practical.”

To effectively harness the potential of private institutions in the democratization of higher education, several strategies should be considered:

• Financial aid mechanisms: Establishing scholarships, bursaries, and affordable loan schemes can reduce the financial burden that prevents many prospective students from enrolling in private institutions.
• Public-Private Partnership: Collaborative ventures between government entities and private institutions can lead to resource sharing, infrastructure development, and creation of more enrollment opportunities.
• Regulatory Facilitation: Streamlining accreditation processes and providing incentives for private institutions can encourage the establishment of more institutions, especially in deprived areas.
• Awareness campaigns: Providing information to students and parents about viable options offered by private institutions can change perceptions and highlight the quality and credibility of private education.

addressing these challenges

To truly take ownership of South Africa's education agenda, learners must be adequately prepared before moving from one classroom to the next. Education does not happen in isolation; This requires a deep understanding of the specific needs of each student.

“Academic success depends not only on cognitive ability but also on financial aid, academic guidance, and emotional well-being.” Professor Hamid emphasizes the importance of developing fit-for-purpose solutions that ensure student success. He concluded that government, the private sector, and civil society must work unitedly toward a common goal, avoiding fragmented efforts that waste resources and hinder meaningful progress.