Gwarube Seeks R5.5bn for Compulsory Grade R
The Basic Education Minister is asking National Treasury for funds to cover the cost of making Grade R compulsory across South Africa.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Primary Education
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Should the national government provide extra funding for compulsory Grade R education?
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is seeking an additional R5.5 billion from National Treasury to fund compulsory Grade R. Provinces began admitting Grade R learners in January 2025 without sufficient funding for the requirement.
Why it matters
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act made Grade R compulsory, leaving provinces to absorb the cost of additional learners without adequate funding. The shortfall highlights the gap between the new legal obligation and the resources available to deliver it.
The department had an average of 13,600 Grade R practitioners receiving stipends, of whom 5,600 were already qualified teachers. The outcome of the R5.5 billion request to National Treasury has not been reported.
The players
Siviwe Gwarube
Siviwe Gwarube is South Africa's Minister of Basic Education, responsible for the national school system and the department's funding requests.
National Treasury
The National Treasury is the South African government department responsible for national budgeting and the allocation of public funds.
The details
Provinces used portions of existing compensation budgets to create posts for Grade R educators. Only Limpopo and North West included Grade R in their 2027 post-provisioning plans, and the department is reviewing its post-provisioning norms.
Timeline
24 December 2024: Compulsory Grade R provisions became implementable.
January 2025: Provinces were required to start admitting Grade R learners.
November 2026: A draft post-provisioning norms policy is expected to be completed.
Foundation Phase Expansion
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act extended compulsory schooling to Grade R, with the intended effect of lengthening the foundation phase from three years to four. The funding shortfall now facing provinces is the practical cost of that legal change.
Parents of children reaching Grade R age should expect the transition to compulsory schooling to depend on provincial staffing and funding. Checking with local provincial education offices will show what places and teachers are available in each area.
The takeaway
Compulsory Grade R depends on funding that has not yet been confirmed, so the pace of its rollout will vary by province. Families should track the post-provisioning policy and provincial plans to understand local availability.
What happens next
A draft post-provisioning norms policy is expected to be completed by November 2026, which will shape how Grade R posts are staffed.
Further reading
Explore more on Primary Education for context on how early schooling is structured and funded.
Live Poll
Should the national government provide extra funding for compulsory Grade R education?
