GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile,
GOOD National Youth Chairperson
13 March 2025
The GOOD party welcomes Treasury’s commitment to invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and halt the increase of illiteracy in the country. With 80 percent of our ten-year-olds unable to read for meaning, we are looking at a future of further economic decline as we continue to fail this generation. Increasing government support for ECD infrastructure is a crucial step when tackling the root causes of this decline in education standards.
In the budget speech, a financial commitment to ECD development has been made. 700,000 children would be able to access this crucial system which will be needed if we are to turn the tide on illiteracy. These commitments will take shape through a R10-Billion investment into increasing the subsidy amount as well as R19-Billion to keep 11,000 teachers employed. Both will be financed by government through the medium-term budget.
ECD centres give a child the base structure they need to be able to adapt to a school environment for the first time. They are a critical first step in escaping the cycle of non-education as well as poverty.
It is important to acknowledge the current state of our ECD system so that the crucial nature of this financial support is made apparent. The current subsidy rate (R17 per child, per day) has remained stagnant since 2019 while some ECD centres are not able to access this subsidy rate at all. The R17 is supposed to cover a child’s food and learning material as well as the teacher’s salary. Even the building’s upkeep is included in this cost. The result? An environment of despair where we are dumping this financial burden on vital educators fulfilling a much-needed service in our communities.
32 percent of our children do not attend an ECD, with less than half of the attendees academically on track. This is a direct result of a failure to address the legacy of Apartheid on the education sector.
Research has proven that accessing these ECD centres is vital for a child’s academic success. With only a 4 percent increase in three years, this is another 2030 education goal which we are not on track for. It is important to highlight the incredible work being done by those running these ECD centres.
Facing limited resources, unrealistic expectations, overcrowding and the responsibility for their communities’ children, these educators sacrifice their own mental health and financial gain for the sake of these young minds. One of four teachers have no education qualification at all. Despite this lack of government training or assistance, these tireless individuals step up and perform a vital role in their communities. GOOD applauds you in your fight for justice in education and safeguard the next generation.
These budget commitments are an opportunity to start the process of putting dignity back into the lives of our citizens from the beginning of their journey. Hundreds of thousands of young South African’s futures hang in the balance. We are five years from our 2030 education goals. Government and the Education department must read the writing on the wall before the illiteracy crisis deepens.
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