Free schooling, teacher testing and school meals: What SA’s biggest parties promised on education

Education remains a key issue in South African politics, with the ANC, DA, EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party outlining different proposals for schools, teachers and students in their 2024 national election manifestos.

Their commitments covered everything from improving literacy and numeracy to expanding technical training, addressing unsafe school infrastructure and increasing support for learners.

While the parties shared an emphasis on improving education, their proposed approaches differed, particularly on school governance, teacher assessments, compulsory attendance and the cost of education.

Here is what each party promised in its 2024 manifesto.

ANC: Expanding early learning and technical skills

The ANC pledged to expand access to early childhood development (ECD), with the goal of achieving universal access to quality early learning by 2030.

The party also committed to strengthening reading, numeracy and technological skills, alongside expanding skills development programmes in emerging fields such as data analytics and artificial intelligence.

For post-school education, the ANC proposed improving coordination and quality while making institutions more responsive to labour market needs.

Its plans included expanding vocational and technical training, building additional technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and community colleges, and improving access to lifelong learning.

Student accommodation was another priority, with the party proposing to accelerate the construction of public student residences to help address existing shortages.

The ANC also pledged to expand digital learning opportunities, invest in specialist medical training and improve access to second-chance education for people who want to continue their studies.

DA: Stronger literacy and teacher assessments

The DA placed foundational learning at the centre of its education proposals, particularly improving reading and numeracy during the first years of schooling.

The party set a target of increasing the proportion of Grade 4 learners able to read for meaning from 19% to 60%.

To support this goal, it proposed dedicating the first two hours of each school day in the foundation phase, from Grade R to Grade 3, to reading and writing, followed by an hour focused on numeracy.

The DA also committed to ensuring that learners received 210 full teaching days each year, emphasising punctuality, preparation and consistent attendance.

Its proposals included national literacy and numeracy tests at the end of the foundation phase, with results made available to parents and additional interventions introduced at schools with high failure rates.

The party also proposed testing teachers’ competence before they entered the profession, alongside independent national assessments at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9.

On school oversight, the DA called for independent School Evaluation Authorities in every province to assess institutions and publish performance reports.

Other commitments included expanding access to quality Grade R, improving internet access and providing free digital learning content.

The party also pledged to defend mother-tongue education and introduce greater curriculum diversification from Grade 9, allowing learners to follow vocational, technical or academic pathways according to their abilities and needs.

EFF: Free education and improved school infrastructure

The EFF proposed free, decolonised education for all, with curricula incorporating indigenous knowledge, sovereignty and economic freedom.

It also called for compulsory school attendance and proposed criminalising parents who failed to send their children to school.

School infrastructure was a major part of its manifesto. The party pledged to eradicate pit latrines, replace unsafe school structures and ensure that schools had clean water, electricity, security and adequate sanitation.

The EFF also proposed providing every learner with a tablet containing study materials, tutorials and educational videos. Other technology-related commitments included expanding computer literacy and introducing smart classrooms.

Learner nutrition featured prominently, with the party promising two nutritious meals a day throughout the year, including during school holidays.

The manifesto also proposed scholar transport for learners living more than 2km from their schools, hostels where transport was impractical and specialised schools for children with autism.

To strengthen learner support, the EFF pledged to employ remedial teachers across schools, appoint social workers and nurses, expand libraries and science laboratories, and make career guidance compulsory in high schools.

On language and examinations, the party proposed using indigenous languages as the foundation of education across all provinces and abolishing the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).

It also advocated for a single school system in which all matric learners would write the same examinations.

MK party: Free education through postgraduate studies

The MK party proposed making education free and compulsory from kindergarten through to postgraduate studies.

Its manifesto included a state-led school construction programme aimed at addressing infrastructure challenges. The party pledged that educational facilities and materials would meet minimum norms and standards within five years.

It also proposed increasing school operational budgets at least in line with inflation and pupil enrolment.

Nutrition was another priority, with the party promising breakfast, lunch and an after-school meal for children at schools and early education centres.

For learner wellbeing, the MK party proposed addressing teenage depression, pregnancy and suicide through social work support, sports and recreation coaching, health education and comprehensive services in schools.

At university level, the party pledged to expand capacity at existing institutions, diversify academic programmes, strengthen online education and establish new universities or branches in underserved regions.

The manifesto also called for a review of the Master Skills List and the role of sector education and training authorities (Setas).

The party proposed a human resource development strategy linking education with labour, industry and home affairs.

It further committed to promoting national consciousness and expanding the use of African languages as mediums of instruction and in the development of knowledge.

How the parties’ education priorities differ

The four manifestos set out different approaches to addressing challenges across South Africa’s education system.

The ANC emphasised early childhood development, technical training, digital learning and student accommodation. The DA focused on foundational literacy, numeracy, teacher competence and independent school assessments.

The EFF placed emphasis on free education, compulsory attendance, school infrastructure, learner nutrition and a unified examination system. The MK party proposed free and compulsory education through postgraduate studies, expanded school meals and investment in educational facilities and higher education.

These commitments reflect the priorities each party presented in its 2024 national election manifesto. Their inclusion in a manifesto does not, on its own, mean that a proposal has been implemented.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Source: iol.co.za