Government’s pro-poor policies are benefitting schools that have previously performed badly. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga made the assertion as part of her contribution to the debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). Earlier in the debate, Democratic Alliance (DA) MP, Baxolile Nodada painted a rather bleak picture of the education system, noting that President Cyril Ramaphosa is out of touch with the realities on the ground.

However, Minister Motshekga says there is evidence to suggest that the schooling system is working – especially in poorer areas. Motshekga adds that the difference of performance of no fee and fee paying schools is narrowing, and that no fee schools consistently produce high proportions of bachelors since 2015.