President Cyril Ramaphosa told the joint sitting of Parliament during his annual address to the nation that access to early childhood development is being expanded through the Bana Pele mass registration of ECD facilities.
“As we welcome improvements in the matric pass rate, we must address the high dropout rate in the last few years of schooling. More learners must be able to write matric and to take subjects like maths and science,” he said.
“We are intensifying efforts to fix the basic education system, with a focus on early learning, literacy and numeracy, and mother-tongue-based bilingual education. Our focus is on establishing a firm foundation for learning in the early years of a child’s life.”
The President delivered his annual speech at the City Hall in Cape Town’s Grand Parade on 12 February. In a colourful event, attended by former President’s, Speakers, other members of society, and an imbongi. He said his government was undertaking a fundamental overhaul of the skills development system.
“We will reform and reduce the number of Sector Education and Training Authorities to improve governance, strengthen industry participation, raise the quality of training and better align skills development with the needs of the economy.”
He said the proportion of the skills levy returned to employers will be increased and will constitute about 40%. “We will also transform the National Skills Fund into a more agile, outcomes-driven instrument that supports unemployed young people to access workplace experience and employment, building on successful initiatives such as Jobs Boost.”
“These reforms will ensure that various training programmes we have in government are a door to opportunity, not a dead end,” concluded the President.
Sibongile Maputi
17 February 2026
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