1.2 Million children in Western Cape to benefit from R38.2 billion ECD funding
More than 1.2million children in the Western Cape will have access to ECD programmes.
Image: Tracy-Lynn Ruiters
The Budget Vote 16 for 2026 announced by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, revealed that R38.2 billion was allocated for 2026/27, including R32.7 billion for conditional grants and R16 billion for school infrastructure, with watchdogs promising to keep watch on its delivery.
Nearly R11 billion for school nutrition and R16 billion for school infrastructure, including R4.6 billion for ECD; R477 million for Mathematics, Science and Technology; R307 million for learners with disabilities.
Gwarube said these allocations only matter if they reach learners quickly, efficiently, and transparently: "This administration chooses reform over excuses, delivery over slogans, and children over petty party politics.
“Stronger foundations produce stronger schools, stronger communities, and a stronger nation."
She added that delivery must be felt in the classroom.
The budget comes as WCED MEC David Maynier confirmed that the largest budget allocated for education for the year 2026/2027 was R35.1 billion with the budget for 2027/2028 to only be made available next year.
Maynier said he welcomed the national minister's focus on quality matric passes, especially in Mathematics and Physical Science.
"We also welcome her commitment to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in line with the recommendations of the NECT, which must include drastically reducing the onerous reporting requirements imposed on provinces by the DBE," he said.
The Minister said she was pleased with the success so far: "Many believed it could not be done, but I’m happy to announce that we registered more than 13,300 ECD centres – exceeding our target by 33%.
“ECD registration has grown by 200% between 2021 and 2026.
“That means more than 1.2 million children now have access to registered ECD programmes and will enter school better prepared.
"Last year, we set ourselves an ambitious target of registering 10,000 ECD centres in one year so that more centres could enter the support and subsidy framework of the government,” Gwarube announced."
She said with Grade R being compulsory, the implementation came at a cost of approximately R10 billion over the Medium Term for additional education for the Foundation Phase.
“We have therefore redirected R800 million from the ECD Grant to address immediate Grade R pressures,” she detailed.
Riedwaan Ahmed, the Provincial Chief Executive Officer for the National Professional Teacher’s Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), said called for a focus on ECDs.
“We wish, however, to focus our response on the intended reform within the ECD and Grade R sector. NAPTOSA remains committed to our support for the professionalisation of ECD and Grade R, welcoming the focus on Foundation Phase targeted literacy and numeracy.”
“It is our hope that the ECD Development grant would find expression not only in training.
He said NAPTOSA Western Cape will keep a close eye on the equitable share in respect of the national budget allocation to provinces.
"We are hopeful and will keep a keen eye on how these announcements of reform, will translate into the classroom to benefit the child, educator and practitioner," he said.
"In addition, consideration should be given to Foundation phase with a pro-poor focus, revision of the current quintile system and decrease in learner to teacher ratio."
Khalid Sayed, the leader of the Opposition in the Western Cape Legislature said the ANC welcomed the reforms that strengthen ECD, Grade R, nutrition, teacher support and Foundation Phase learning, as these reflect long-standing ANC policy.
"For the Western Cape, implementation must prioritise poor and working-class learners. The Foundation Phase catalogue matter must be investigated independently by the Auditor-General or SIU, not the department itself," he said.