By Johnathan Paoli
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has stressed the urgent need for a stronger, more deliberate partnership between her department and higher education institutions (HEIs).
Speaking during the G20 Education Seminar under the theme “From Dialogue to Implementation” at Unisa in Pretoria on Tuesday, Gwarube explored practical strategies for strengthening South Africa’s teacher education system while aligning with global G20 priorities.
“The Department of Basic Education invests heavily in curriculum innovation, teacher development and systemic reform. But for too long, our efforts have run alongside each other, not in full alignment. That must change. We need a shared stewardship of the education system, where the DBE and universities operate not in parallel, but in true partnership. Where accountability is reciprocal and leadership is collective,” Gwarube said.
She identified six strategic areas for collaboration between the department and HEIs. They include policy alignment and responsiveness, professional learning communities, teacher supply and demand planning, strengthening work-integrated learning, seamless induction and continuous professional development, and joint monitoring, evaluation and research.
The minister said the proposals could improve outcomes by aligning teacher preparation with systemic needs, bridging the gap between theory and practice, ensuring equitable teacher distribution and embedding continuous learning in teaching careers.
She underscored that the G20’s call for transformative leadership must be met with practical commitments rather than rhetoric.
“This conference must not be remembered for eloquent speeches, but for the partnerships it forges and the commitments it inspires. If we do this right, the ripple effects will be felt not just in Unisa’s lecture halls, but in every classroom in South Africa and far beyond,” Gwarube urged.
She stressed that foundational learning was a moral imperative and that teachers must be prepared to address challenges posed by artificial intelligence, climate change, migration and economic uncertainty.
Basic Education Deputy Minister Makgabo Reginah Mhaule reflected on South Africa’s historic role as 2025 G20 president and chair of the Education Working Group.
“It’s an honour and a strategic imperative to address you today, not simply as deputy minister, but as a teacher and an alumna of this university. In 2025, we will lead with clarity, courage and conviction, advancing three priorities: quality foundational learning, mutual recognition of qualifications and educational professional development for a changing world,” she said.
Mhaule said basic education must produce learners who met higher education’s expectations, warning against systemic misalignment.
Welcoming delegates, Unisa principal and Vice-Chancellor Puleng LenkaBula described the seminar as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collective responsibility.
“As South Africa prepares to host G20 activities, we are called to amplify the voice of the Global South. Investment in teacher development and early learning infrastructure is not only a national priority, but a global necessity. Empowerment is realised in classrooms, communities and the lives of learners and educators” she stated.
Gwarube praised Unisa’s leadership in teacher education, noting its reach across the continent and its pivotal role in producing educators across all phases from early childhood to postgraduate studies.
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