Thirty years ago, South Africa’s education system emerged from apartheid with a mission to dismantle entrenched inequalities. Since then, policy has undergone major reforms to promote equality, strengthen foundational learning, and smooth the transition from secondary school into the workplace. In today’s podcast, ERSA’s host is joined by Professor Martin Gustafsson, Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch, to unpack his research “Basic Education Policy in South Africa: From 1994 till now”, co-authored with Kholosa Nonkenge from the Department of Basic Education. They explore how education has evolved since 1994: Where does South Africa stand internationally on foundational learning? What lessons emerge from the national workbooks programme and the Annual National Assessments? How have Early Childhood Development integration, COVID-19, and the Government of National Unity reshaped policy? Professor Gustafsson explains how South Africa has moved from an outlier at the bottom of global rankings to being recognised as a “significant improver.” He also highlights the ongoing challenges of building capacity, balancing support and accountability, and the opportunities for future research using the available resources.
