Eastern Cape & North West State of Education

Video The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education met with the Eastern Cape and North West Provincial Education Departments on 29 September 2026 on the state of the education sector, school infrastructure challenges and mitigations, mid-term performance, and 2026 examination readiness. The Eastern Cape Department presented learner numbers of 1.7 million, educator staffing, a 2.9-point drop in second-term results despite record matriculants, subject weaknesses in isiXhosa, English First Additional Language, Afrikaans and gateway subjects, examination preparations including centres, security, accommodations and marking, historical budget cuts of around R33 billion, a R72 billion infrastructure backlog covering remaining pit latrines, asbestos, water and kitchens, school rationalisation of 123 schools completed with 290 planned, National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) financial controls, and curriculum diversification through aviation, maritime, agriculture and schools of skills. The North West Department presented on infrastructure condition assessments rated C1 to C5, an estimated R21.5 billion backlog, annual Education Infrastructure Grant funding of about R1.4 billion, completed and planned projects, storm damage affecting 116 schools in 2025/26 plus more in 2026/27, remaining pit toilets, SAHRC complaints, specific school interventions, examination readiness for 22 200 candidates, and learner performance issues especially in Grades 8 and 9, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Setswana. Committee members raised concerns on late Eastern Cape documentation, the scale of infrastructure backlogs and slow progress on pit latrines, asbestos and storm damage, scholar transport gaps and vehicle roadworthiness, inflated School-Based Assessment marks, progressed learners without timely support, NSNP financial misconduct risks, Sanitary Dignity Programme delivery failures, declining performance in key subjects and phases, community resistance to rationalisation, data inconsistencies in presentations, and the need for clear, costed, time-bound plans. The new North West MEC was urged to demonstrate control of the department despite her short tenure. Both departments undertook to supply detailed written responses on infrastructure assessments, backlog breakdowns, intervention evidence and consequence-management data. Time was limited due to a National Assembly plenary, so many detailed answers were deferred to written responses. The Committee noted the provinces’ examination-readiness measures, accepted the need for context on rural and geographic challenges. It would conduct oversight visits to both provinces early in 2027 The Committee adopted its revised Annual Performance Plan with an explicit commitment to address identified gaps.