GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile ,
GOOD National Youth Chairperson
05 March 2025
South Africa’s current statistics, which show that 80% of our ten-year-olds cannot read for meaning, are at a crisis point requiring urgent reform and government action. The ability to read and write opens the gates to a young child’s life. Academic passions such as science, literature or history cannot be realised without the ability to comprehend the knowledge that is transcribed.
Our country finds itself at the crossroads. GOOD cannot stand idly by. As an organisation, we stand behind the 2030 Reading Panel initiative and its goal of increasing the reading capability of all South African children.
Many of these children are hamstringed by factors outside of their control which impact their learning experience. Children across the country face the reality of overcrowded classrooms, no electricity, a lack of basic nutrition, lack of safe transport and pit toilets. Many schools are also understaffed and under resourced.
With the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube admitting that the current budget cannot meet the demands of the basic education sector.
The current statistics predict the country will only having full reading and writing capability at grade 4 in the year 2098. A reality we cannot allow to happen. Urgent intervention is needed.
GOOD believes that this problem is solvable through a multi-pronged approach.
The budget put aside to address education must be used for education. Currently the Provinces have discretion over how the allocation from Treasury is spent.
Government needs to re-evaluate the resources we currently have that can be used to address the issue. A Bachelor of Education is South Africa’s most studied degree (StatsSA 2017, reaffirmed by a 2025 News24 snap survey). There is a passion in this country from the youth to elevate the education standards of our country. Many of these graduates are unable to find placement or employment.
Government has a duty to prioritize education funding in the upcoming Budget and it must utilize these finances in the fight against illiteracy through a mass education campaign.
Investing in education is essential for the future development of our country.
Our youth unemployment is still staggeringly high. According to a new report released by Stats SA, youth unemployment climbed from 36,8% in 2014 to 45,5% in 2024. The same report reveals that education remains a crucial factor in employment outcomes.
As a country, we have heard commitments by both the president and education department to meet this 2030 goal. Now is the time for government to prove they are taking education seriously and investing in our youth before the damage is irreversible. The 2025/26 Budget needs to show a real commitment to the promises made for education. Pit toilets, desks and illiteracy all face the same inaction that is preventing progress. Our youth deserve a dignified education.
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