SA Education Budget: Expert calls for smarter spending in R332 billion allocation

Education analyst and CEO of IDEA Digital Education, Dr. Corrin Varady has praised the South African government’s commitment to education, as evidenced by the 2025 budget allocation of R332.3 billion for basic education.

However, he cautioned that without stronger accountability measures, inefficiencies in spending will continue to hinder progress in the sector.

In his comments on the recent budget announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Varady emphasised the urgency of effective spending, particularly in the context of a growing student population and rising unemployment.

He argued that financial resources should be directly linked to measurable educational improvements.

“While the National Treasury has allocated R332.3 billion to basic education in the 2025 budget, the real challenge lies not in the total amount but in the strategic allocation of every Rand,” Varady stated.

He stressed the importance of moving beyond mere infrastructure investments to focus on delivering meaningful learning outcomes.

“Budget allocations should prioritise students, ensuring that every expenditure results in enhanced education quality,” he added.

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Varady expressed concern that the current system often treats students as an afterthought, calling for a framework that holds spending accountable to student-centric priorities. 

He urged that provinces be held responsible for measurable results, insisting that progress in student services, teacher development, and literacy and numeracy programs should be rigorously evaluated against expenditures.

“Discussions about expanding budgets become irrelevant without tangible improvements,” he noted. Rather than seeking additional funding for new initiatives, Varady advocated for maximising the potential of existing resources.

“We must rethink budget allocations to implement cost-efficient programs, especially in teacher training and educational content,” he said.

South Africa aims to equip its students with skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and integrate them into the global digital economy. However, Varady warned that without innovative and resource-efficient execution, these goals risk remaining merely aspirational.

He also highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock efficiencies and scale in education.

“Unfortunately, fragmented provincial spending and opaque procurement processes have fostered mistrust, discouraging private sector involvement.

“If the government can ensure financial stability and sustainable program implementation, private sector innovations can complement public education with high-impact, cost-effective solutions.”

In conclusion, Varady urged the nation to shift its focus from funding limitations to a reassessment of how resources are allocated.

“Promoting accountable and efficient spending is essential for improving educational outcomes,” he said.

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