MAHIKENG — North West Education MEC Viola Motsumi tabled a massive R24.17 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
The new allocation represents a 5.58% increase from the previous year’s budget of R22.89 billion.
Compensation Swallows Bulk of Budget
MEC Motsumi revealed that personnel costs will consume the vast majority of the department’s resources.
A total of R18.57 billion—constituting 77% of the entire budget—is strictly dedicated to the Compensation of Employees.
“Honourable Speaker, before I delve into the detailed allocation per programme, I deem it prudent to bring to the attention of this august house that Eighteen billion, five hundred and seventy-six million, four hundred and thirty-four thousand Rand, which constitutes 77% of the total 2026/27 of this budget will be spent on Compensation of Employees,” said Motsumi.
The remaining funds will be split across seven core educational programmes.
Administration Secures R1.35 Billion
Programme 1 (Administration) has been allocated R1.35 billion for the current financial year.
Motsumi emphasized that this programme is the operational backbone of the department. It is designed to ensure:
- Prudent financial management across all districts.
- Institutional accountability and strict performance monitoring.
- Overall management support to ensure the department meets its core mandate.
The MEC has officially tabled the Budget Vote 8 allocation for consideration and approval by the House.
The R18.17 billion allocated to Public Ordinary School Education centers heavily on modernizing classrooms and boosting academic performance.
Classroom Resources and Financial Breakdown
The Department has earmarked R766.91 million specifically for Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM). This funding covers vital classroom essentials:
- Textbooks
- Workbooks
- Stationery
- Digital assets
Academic Support and the Digital Shift
A dedicated R200 million will fund the Learner Attainment Improvement Plan (LAIP) to drive targeted academic interventions. A major portion of this strategy relies on the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to align schools with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The Department has already procured data-enabled gadgets designed to transform digital learning. These devices aim to streamline schooling by:
- Automating continuous assessment tracking
- Offering virtual laboratory services
- Providing targeted exam preparation
- Reducing administrative tasks for teachers
- Enabling real-time tracking of student grades
As these ICT initiatives expand, the Department expects digital platforms to gradually reduce the need for traditional, face-to-face extra classes.
In a decisive move to strengthen its technical and vocational career pathways, the Department is scaling up support for specialized institutions across the region. A dedicated Maths, Science and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant of R44,833,000 has been approved to fund targeted development initiatives.
Key targets for this academic year include:
- 31 Technical Vocational Schools receiving continuous instructional backing.
- 18 Agricultural Focus Schools slated for enhanced curriculum support.
- 13 schools currently running specialized Technical Occupational Subjects.
- 3 additional schools integrating these occupational subjects this year.
This expansion directly drives the Department’s overarching Three-Stream Model, which balances academic, technical vocational, and technical occupational learning. Furthermore, education authorities confirmed they are introducing agricultural and technical subjects to Grades 8 and 9 within focus schools. This early curriculum integration aims to build critical foundational skills before learners transition to Grade 10.
Enhancing Food Safety and Job Creation through the NSNP
Alongside curriculum modernization, the Department is heavily investing in learner welfare through a R746,983,000 budget allocation for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
The impact of this funding includes:
- 751,847 learners guaranteed daily nutritional support.
- 1,331 public ordinary schools reached across quintiles one to three.
- 4,571 job opportunities sustained for local Food Handlers.
In response to recent public health concerns, officials are actively restructuring the nutrition framework. The Department has launched inter-provincial benchmarking exercises to study safer, more sustainable delivery models. This strategy specifically targets the elimination of food poisoning incidents and substandard meals while aiming to create secondary, sustainable employment opportunities within the regional food supply chain.
R26 Million Boost for Teacher Development
The Department has allocated R26 million toward professional teacher development. This funding targets training programmes in Foundation Phase reading and numeracy. It also covers higher-grade languages, Mathematics, and digital skills.
To expand the reach of these initiatives, the Department signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with North West University (NWU), Wits University, and local TVET colleges.
Key ETDP SETA projects scheduled for the 2026/27 period include:
- 350 laptops distributed to teachers during Wits University ICT training.
- 53 school leaders (principals and deputy principals) enrolled in NWU’s Advanced Diploma in Education.
Massive Staffing Drive Restores School Stability
In a major push for workforce stability, the Department is actively filling teaching and management vacancies across all school levels.
Recent staffing updates and advertisements reveal a massive recruitment scale:
- 1,311 temporary educators converted to permanent staff in September 2025.
- 828 promotional posts advertised for Departmental Heads and Deputy Principals.
- 673 management roles successfully filled, including Principals and Deputy Principals.
- 32 specialist positions advertised to support Special Schools, targeting therapists and nurses.
Selection processes are also underway to finalise appointments for Senior Management roles, including Directors and Chief Directors.
