Minister of Basic Education Visits North West to Address School Challenges and Matric Readiness

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, along with her Deputy, Regina Mhaule, visited the North West Province on Monday, 14 October 2024, as part of the National Listening and Learning Tour. The visit was aimed at addressing both the readiness for the upcoming matric exams and the broader challenges facing schools in the province.

The delegation, which also included the MEC for Education in the North West, Viola Motsumi, met with local education officials at Tlhabane West Primary School in Rustenburg. Their discussions focused on the province’s efforts to improve educational outcomes, while also tackling ongoing issues such as infrastructure deficiencies, overcrowded classrooms, and resource shortages.

Minister Gwarube expressed her satisfaction with the preparations for the 2024 matric exams but acknowledged that there are still significant challenges facing the province’s education system.

“While we are pleased with the steps taken to prepare learners for their matric exams, we are also aware of the difficulties that many schools in the North West are grappling with. These include inadequate infrastructure, a lack of essential resources, and challenges around teacher shortages. We are committed to finding sustainable solutions to these problems,” said Gwarube.

Deputy Minister Regina Mhaule highlighted the importance of addressing these challenges holistically, stating that improving education at all levels would ultimately boost matric performance.

“It’s not just about the matric results. We need to ensure that the entire education system, from the foundation phase to high school, is strengthened. That means addressing issues such as overcrowded classrooms, poor sanitation, and the shortage of learning materials, which continue to hamper effective teaching and learning in many schools,” Mhaule explained.

MEC Viola Motsumi added that the North West Province has made strides in addressing some of these challenges but acknowledged that more work needs to be done.

“We are working hard to improve conditions in our schools. Our goal is not only to improve our ranking in the national matric results but also to create an environment where learners from all grades can thrive. We need to move from the current position to a better position,” Motsumi stated.

One of the key areas of concern raised during the visit was the state of school infrastructure in rural areas, where many schools still struggle with dilapidated buildings and insufficient learning spaces. Minister Gwarube emphasized that the Department of Basic Education is working with provincial governments to prioritize infrastructure improvements and ensure that every learner has access to a conducive learning environment.

The National Listening and Learning Tour will continue, with the Minister and her Deputy scheduled to visit other provinces to assess the state of education across the country and gather feedback from stakeholders on how to address key issues facing schools.

The visit to the North West Province highlights the dual focus of the tour: ensuring that matric learners are ready for their exams while also addressing the systemic challenges that continue to affect education in South Africa.