Overall, the Department has faced severe budgetary pressures which had an impact on the department’s ability to carry out some of its planned activities, coupled with delivery challenges experienced in different facades of its operational spectrum.

Despite this, the notable Improvements in 2022, particularly on examination outcomes, should be seen in the context of a system wide Education System Transformation Plan of the Department, whose strategic thrust is to maximise opportunities of learners achieving a good pass in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations while improving performance in the whole system.

Madam Speaker, the Department’s expenditure increased from R37.507 billion in 2019/20 to a revised estimate of R39.796 billion in 2022/23. The 2023/24 budget allocation increases slightly by 3.3 per cent to R41.128 billion mainly due to additional funds provided for personnel and norms and standards in the baseline.

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