The Western Cape Department of Education has tabled a R35.1 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, making it the province’s biggest departmental budget, according to the source article. The funding plan puts heavy focus on early learning, school infrastructure, maths performance and support for learners with special educational needs.

Early Learning Gets a Funding Boost

Education Minister David Maynier told the provincial parliament that R102.9 million has been set aside to strengthen early learning programmes. The department said recent systemic test results showed major gains in Grade 3 performance, with maths pass rates rising from 44.3% in 2021 to 62% this year. Language pass rates also improved from 36.9% to 51.2%.

Maynier said the department plans to build on that progress by reinforcing early learning, supporting Foundation Phase teachers and introducing new assessments to identify learning gaps early. The strategy includes baseline literacy and numeracy assessments at the start of each school year, along with a structured numeracy intervention that will provide learner books and maths kits.

More Money for Classrooms and Academic Support

The department has earmarked R191.1 million to improve learning outcomes from Grades 4 to 12. That includes expanding the #BackOnTrack programme, which offers extra classes to more than 34,200 learners and training for about 1,530 teachers. A new online training module is also planned for upper grades.

Maynier said the province also wants more learners to take maths and perform well in the subject. Extra classes are expected to help keep learners in maths through Grades 10 and 11. Technical education is also in line for upgrades, with investment planned for equipment and teacher support at technical schools.

Infrastructure and Special Needs Support in Focus

A further R2.7 billion has been allocated to school infrastructure. The Rapid School Build programme is expected to deliver 280 classrooms this year, while 10 new schools are planned for the 2027 academic year. The province said the new schools will include green energy systems.

Special needs education will receive R2 billion. That includes R78.3 million for learners with autism spectrum disorder and R77.2 million for learners with profound disabilities. The department also plans to fund 701 new posts, including 600 teachers for public schools and 101 specialised educators. While pressure from overcrowding and ageing infrastructure remains, the budget signals a big push to strengthen education across the province.