Early Childhood Development (ECD) crisis: 58% of South Africa’s children not enrolled in pre-schools

Africa Melane speaks to Professor Mbulu Madiba, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

About 58% of children in South Africa miss out on early childhood education.

That was the worrying statistic released by Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, during the City of Cape Town’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Indaba 2025 this past weekend.

In South Africa, ECD typically refers to the period from birth to four years, often overlooking the focus on Grade R for five- to six-year-olds.

Teaching and learning during early childhood are essential building blocks.

Madiba believes that children are starting school too late.

"In other countries, learners are starting school very early, from zero to four, they are already in the school system, but our learners are starting school at the age of six years, which is already late for them to be able to catch up.”

- Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, Faculty of Education - Stellenbosch University

He emphasises that to bring effective change to the country’s education system, there needs to be less talk and more action.

"To really get that system to work… policy shift alone is not sufficient…” 

- Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, Faculty of Education - Stellenbosch University

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.