President Ramaphosa calls for urgent strengthening of foundational learning

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s education system can only succeed if learners acquire strong literacy and numeracy skills in the early years of schooling.

The President was addressing the 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday. 

He said the country’s commitment to a resilient and capable education system must begin in the early grades, where the foundations for all future learning are laid.

“As a country, our commitment to a resilient and capable education system must begin where it matters most: in the early grades, where the foundations for all future learning are laid,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The Lekgotla opened on a sombre note, with delegates observing a moment of silence for the 12 pupils who lost their lives in a scholar transport accident in the Vaal area.

“As we gather here, our nation is consumed by sorrow. We mourn this loss deeply and extend our condolences to the families, teachers and classmates of the children who lost their lives. We wish those who were injured in the crash a speedy recovery,” the President said.

Turning to education outcomes, the President emphasised that strengthening early grade reading and numeracy was both a national priority and a moral imperative.

“When children do not learn to read for meaning or to work confidently with numbers by the end of the Foundation Phase, the cost is borne by the entire education system,” the President said. 

He warned that weak foundations led to repetition, dropout and poor progression throughout the schooling system.

“Unless we get it right at the outset, learners spend the rest of their school careers trying to catch up. We see this in repetition, dropout, weak progression and the tragic loss of human potential,’” he said. 

President Ramaphosa said government was intensifying its focus on evidence-based teaching of literacy and numeracy, teacher training and access to quality learning materials.

“We are working to ensure that every classroom is supported by a coherent curriculum and well-trained teachers. And that every classroom has high-quality, age-appropriate, grade-specific and culturally relevant learning and teaching support materials,” he said. 

The President said investing in foundational learning would help build a resilient education system that can sustain learning, adapt to shocks and equip every child with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

The President highlighted South Africa’s participation in international collaboration platforms, including the Head of States Network on Foundational Learning formed during recent G20 Education meetings, as well as cooperation with BRICS partners.

President Ramaphosa noted the progress made in matric results, while cautioning that inequality resurfaces when early learning foundations are weak.

“The National Senior Certificate results of 2025 reinforce our view that without strong foundations in the early years, inequality re-emerges later in the schooling system,” the President said.  

He described the achievements of the Class of 2025 as a “silent revolution”, particularly the increased participation of learners from no-fee schools in higher education.

“Over 66 percent of learners who qualified for admission to bachelor studies came from no-fee schools. This means we are making great advances in our struggle against poverty,” he said. 

The President called for early learning to be firmly anchored at the core of the education system, from birth to the age of nine.

“While there is much focus on matric results, solid foundations in early learning – from birth to nine years – is essential. It provides the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes required for successful onward learning and for lifelong development.” President Ramaphosa said. 

He urged all sectors of society to work together to place foundational learning at the heart of education reform.

“Let us make foundational learning the heartbeat of our education system. Together, we can ensure that every child in South Africa is ready for the future,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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