'SA's leaving our kids behind'

'System is failing millions' with 1.3m not in any development programme.

- Oratile Mashilo

The country is "leaving too many children behind" by failing to ensure access to quality early childhood development (ECD), particularly for the poorest. This was the scathing address Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube delivered at the Bana Pele 2030 Roadmap Leadership Summit yesterday.

Gwarube's speech focused on the glaring disparities in child development outcomes, revealing that only three out of 10 children in the poorest quintile are developmentally on track - compared to eight in 10 children in the wealthiest areas who, she says, are more likely to be on track.

The minister said the current system is failing millions of South African children.