20 APRIL 2026 GORDON INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCE, JHB
REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

National Education
Summit 2026

Fixing the Education Pipeline:

FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO TRANSFORMATIVE LIVELIHOODS

A high-level national platform bringing together leaders across government, education, and industry to drive actionable reform.

09:00 – 17:00 SAST
In-Person + Live Stream
Gordon Institute of Business Science campus
Summit Starts In:
00 Days
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00 Hours
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00 Min
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Registrations Closed
South African school children engaged in learning
ABOUT THE SUMMIT

An Outcomes-Driven Platform for Change

The National Education Summit 2026 convenes policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, and civil society to drive collaboration and actionable solutions across critical stages of learning and skills development.

01 Keynote Address by Minister Buti Manamela
02 3 High-Level Panel Discussions
03 Cross-Sector Engagement & Networking
WHY THIS MATTERS

The Pipeline is Leaking

South Africa's education system faces critical pressure points — weak early learning foundations, limited entrepreneurial integration, and underutilised vocational pathways.

70% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning
60% youth unemployment rate in South Africa
3 critical pressure points addressed at this summit
THE FOCUS

Three Pillars. Three Critical Conversations.

The summit features three high-level panel discussions, each aligned to a core pillar of education reform.

Pillar 1

Early Childhood Development

"From the Ground Up: Why SA's Economic Future Depends on Quality Early Learning"

Strengthening the foundational years through professionalisation, regulation, and resource equity.

Pillar 2

Entrepreneurship Education

"Not Just a Side Hustle: Mainstreaming Entrepreneurial Thinking in Schools and Colleges"

Embedding creativity, innovation, and opportunity recognition into the school experience, scaffolded from primary through to tertiary education.

Pillar 3

Vocational Pathways

"The Power of Practical: Reimagining TVET and Work-Ready Education Models"

Why is vocational and technical training crucial to job creation and economic growth?

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Hon. Buti Manamela

Hon. Buti Manamela

Minister of Higher Education and Training

The Minister will deliver the keynote address, setting the national agenda for systemic education reform and calling on all sectors to collaborate in fixing South Africa's education-to-opportunity pipeline.

Registrations Are Now Closed

Thank you to everyone who registered for the National Education Summit 2026. We look forward to welcoming all confirmed delegates on 20 April 2026.

Date20 April 2026
Time09:00 – 17:00 SAST
VenueGIBS, Johannesburg

For any enquiries, please contact:

sanelisiwem@insideeducation.co.za ntokozom@insideeducation.co.za
VENUE

Gordon Institute of Business Science

Address

26 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196

Date & Time

20 April 2026, 09:00 – 17:00 SAST

Parking

On-site parking available at GIBS campus