Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube Announces Appointment of National Education and Training Council Members
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has officially announced the appointment of members to the National Education and Training Council (NETC), marking a significant step in shaping the future of South Africa’s basic education system.
Historic Activation of the NETC
Speaking at the announcement briefing in Pretoria, the Minister said this month, her ministry has operationalised the National Education and Training Council for the first time – a step taken with the support of Cabinet. This development, on 27 August 2025, fulfils a commitment Gwarube made just 12 days after her appointment, when she addressed Parliament and pledged to bring expert advice into education policies and reforms.
The Council, which was first established in terms of the National Education Policy Act of 1996 and its regulations promulgated in 2009, is being activated for the first time. It will serve as an independent advisory body to the Minister on key education policies and reforms, provide inputs on draft national education policy, and report annually to the Minister on its activities.
“It has been a year of hard work and significant reorientation. I am pleased to inform South Africans that we have delivered on that promise. Today, the NETC will hold its inaugural meeting at the Department of Basic Education’s head office in Pretoria.
“When I assumed this responsibility, I made it clear that South Africa’s basic education system could not continue on the path of incremental adjustments. It needed a decisive shift in strategy, vision and energy,” Gwarube said.
The inaugural meeting followed the briefing as a closed session, focusing on setting the groundwork for the Council’s work. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to address deep-rooted issues in the sector, including the need for evidence-based policies that drive real change.
Composition of the Council
The new Council will be chaired by Ms Penelope Vinjevold, with members drawn from across academia, civil society, and education management. They include:
- Mrs Khathutshelo Onica Dederen.
- Dr Xolani Khohliso.
- Ms Zanele Mabaso.
- Ms Madimetja Dina Mamashela.
- Prof Judith McKenzie.
- Prof Paulus Jacobus Mentz.
- Mr Lebogang Stephen Montjane.
- Ms Mmatsetsweu Ruby Motaung.
- Prof Nicolette Roberts.
- Ms Maite Getrude Rammala.
- Ms Marie-Louise Samuels.
- Dr Selvia Kista (Mona) Singh.
- Dr Glodean Qondile Tintswalo Thani.
- Ms Penelope Vinjevold (Chairperson).
- Dr Gabrielle Wills.
These appointments followed a transparent public nomination process, ensuring a diverse group with expertise in various education facets. Vinjevold, a seasoned education specialist with experience in policy development and implementation, brings leadership to guide the Council’s advisory role. Other members represent fields like inclusive education, curriculum reform, and community engagement, drawing from universities, NGOs, and provincial education bodies.
Key Focus Areas for the NETC
According to the Minister, the NETC will provide expert advice on pressing issues such as the review of the school resourcing model, assessment and progression requirements, reducing administrative burdens on teachers, and strengthening foundational learning.
In addition, the Council’s advice must give guidance on how to ensure a smooth transition from Early Childhood Care and Education into compulsory Grade R, and on progressively strengthening mother tongue instruction in the early grades. “Without strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, other reforms cannot succeed. With them, every child has a pathway to learning, opportunity and dignity.
“These tasks are urgent, but they are also interconnected. Together, they represent the core of our mission: to inject quality, equity and resilience into South Africa’s basic education system.
“The appointment of the National Education and Training Council is more than an administrative milestone. It marks the start of a new era for policymaking in basic education in South Africa,” the Minister said.
These priorities align with the 2025 State of the Nation Address, emphasising foundational skills to combat low literacy rates, where 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning according to international assessments like PIRLS. The Council will also tackle systemic inequalities, such as overcrowded classrooms in township schools averaging 40-50 pupils per teacher, compared to better-resourced suburban institutions.
Advisory Role and Independence
The Minister stressed that the Council will not replace statutory bodies like the Council of Education Ministers or Heads of Education Departments Committee but will serve as an evidence-led advisory structure to supplement their work. She added that it is not a decision-making body. Its role is advisory.
“The Council is designed to strengthen our decision-making. It is a sounding board; a source of evidence, and a forum for testing ideas before they are translated into policy. It is, in short, a mechanism to ensure that our reforms are not only bold, but also smart, equitable, implementable and sustainable,” the Minister said.
This setup ensures the NETC provides objective, data-driven insights, free from political interference, while complementing existing structures. Annual reports will track progress, promoting transparency in a sector plagued by implementation gaps.
Broader Context of South Africa’s Education Challenges
South Africa’s basic education system faces longstanding hurdles that the NETC aims to address. With over 12 million learners in more than 25,000 schools, challenges include high dropout rates—around 40% of students do not complete Grade 12—and poor performance in maths and science, where only 29% of Grade 9 learners achieve above 50% in maths per TIMSS studies.
Infrastructure deficits affect 20% of schools lacking proper sanitation or libraries, exacerbating inequalities rooted in apartheid legacies. The post-COVID recovery has highlighted learning losses, with remote areas struggling with connectivity and teacher shortages numbering over 30,000 vacancies nationwide.
Early childhood education remains uneven, with only 60% of children accessing quality ECD programmes, hindering foundational skills. Mother tongue instruction, vital for cognitive development, is inconsistently applied, often shifting to English too early, impacting comprehension.
The Bela Act’s implementation, despite DA resistance, seeks to enforce equitable admissions and language policies, but provincial variations persist. Funding models favour urban schools, leaving rural ones under-resourced, with per-learner spending varying from R10,000 to R20,000 annually.
Significance of the NETC Appointment
In closing, the Minister extended her gratitude to the members of the NETC for their willingness to contribute their expertise and time to this important work.
“We are wishing you all the best as you convene for your inaugural meeting today. You are entrusted with a responsibility to fearlessly provide advice grounded in evidence and aimed at the best interests of learners. Yours is not the task of government, but the task of knowledge, expertise and wisdom.
“I urge you to approach this responsibility with courage, creativity, and the humility that comes from knowing that millions of children depend on our collective choices,” she said.
The Minister said the Council’s work officially starts today, bringing with it the responsibility to guarantee that every child in every classroom across all provinces not only has a place in school but also a real opportunity to thrive.
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