Foundational learning and ECD centres take centre stage at G20

"BY FAR the greatest challenge that the basic education sector faces in our country is that we struggle to prioritise.

- THEOLIN TEMBO [e-mail]

In addressing delegates at the Western Cape G20 Provincial Education Indaba, Education MEC, David Maynier added: “We try to do everything, everywhere, all at once, in a blizzard of pilot projects that have very little or no impact. We need to prioritise and do fewer things, but do them well. It’s time to stop ‘pilotitis."

Maynier said that the WCED faces acute admissions pressure, with thousands of additional learners joining schools each year, but that as overwhelming as the pressures are, “we must not forget to recognise, and to celebrate, what is working and what is creating hope in our schools”.

The Western Cape Education Indaba was held under the themes 'Quality Foundational Learning with emphasis on Early Childhood Development', as well as Educational Professional Development for a changing world.

The Indaba serves as a response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent call for public involvement in the G20 discussions, focusing on the Education Working Group agenda for the 2025 summit.

The indaba follows others that have been held across the provinces, with the Western Cape being the last before a national indaba is expected to take place next week.