Gwarube’s plans for education's R35bn budget

Provincial departments will have to present credible financial recovery proposals

- THAMI MAGUBANE

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube believes her department is on track to transform the basic education sector into a “builder” of the country.

The minister tabled her department's budget in Parliament yesterday afternoon, revealing that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) received a total budget of over R35 billion — an increase of over 8% from last year.

She touched on the work needed to be done, including improving access to Grade R education, growing the capacity of teachers, and establishing the infrastructure required to ensure quality education.

She also touched on the financial challenges faced by the provincial departments stating that she has asked them to produce credible financial recovery plans. Financial problems have plagued the KwaZulu-Natal education department in recent months.

Addressing the members of Parliament, she stated that in every generation, a choice must be made: to be a builder or a breaker. She said while they still face budgetary constraints and delays in critical investments as a result of years of under-funding, a lot of groundwork has been done to ensure the sector performs optimally with the resources available.

“Builders roll up their sleeves, confront hard truths, lead, and work every day to strengthen our schools, support our teachers, and uplift every learner. Breakers, on the other hand, sow division, undermine progress, and sacrifice the future of our children for cheap political point scoring.