Siviwe Gwarube Reinforces SA’s Education Through Global Collaborations

In a separate meeting with UNICEF country representative Christine Muhigana, Minister Gwarube addressed the collaboration between UNICEF and the DBE.

South Africa's Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, has been actively engaging with international partners to strengthen the country's education system. In meetings held at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) offices in Pretoria, the Minister emphasized the importance of global collaboration in advancing South Africa's educational goals.

Minister Gwarube met with Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to discuss the ongoing Joint Work Programme (JWP) between South Africa and the OECD. The JWP, aligned with South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP), focuses on initiatives such as early childhood education, career development, and curriculum enhancement. The discussions also touched on South Africa's upcoming participation in the 2024 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), which provides valuable insights into teacher development.

In a separate meeting with UNICEF country representative Christine Muhigana, Minister Gwarube addressed the collaboration between UNICEF and the DBE. The focus was on Early Childhood Development (ECD), quality education, and adolescent development, particularly in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls. UNICEF has played a vital role in improving ECD and supporting educational advancements aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Further discussions with European Union (EU) Ambassador Sandra Kramer highlighted the EU's long-standing support for South Africa's education sector through the General Budget Support (GBS) approach. This partnership has notably improved literacy, numeracy, and technology education, particularly for Grades 7 to 9. Minister Gwarube expressed her appreciation for the EU's 30 years of support, emphasizing the value of continued cooperation.

Additionally, Minister Gwarube met with Japanese Ambassador Ushio Shigeru and JICA Chief Representative Kaoru Okada to review the partnership between the DBE and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Since 2012, this collaboration has focused on enhancing Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) education. Minister Gwarube also discussed extending JICA's involvement in finalizing South Africa's National Mathematics Improvement Plan and acknowledged Japan's support in rebuilding schools in KwaZulu-Natal following the 2021 floods.

These meetings underscore South Africa's commitment to leveraging international partnerships to improve its education system, ensuring that all learners are prepared for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.