Schools Evaluation Authority presents annual report to provincial parliament for the first time

5 May 2026 – Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape

Today, for the first time ever, the Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA) will present their annual report to the Standing Committee on Education in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. 

The SEA, which is unique to the Western Cape, seeks to improve school quality by increasing school accountability. The purpose of the SEA is to conduct independent evaluations of schools, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations to the school so that they can focus their efforts accordingly. 

The SEA’s independence provides assurance to parents and schools that the findings and recommendations are squarely aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning in our schools. 

In the year reviewed by the report (2024/25), the SEA’s 6 lead evaluators and 10 evaluators undertook 90 school evaluations and 3 monitoring visits. Schools have responded positively to these evaluation visits, taking proactive steps to address areas where there is room for improvement. 

The SEA evaluates schools in five key areas:

1. Learner achievement
2. Quality of teaching and learning
3. Behaviour and safety
4. Leadership and management
5. Governance, parents and community

Schools are allocated a rating for each area, as well as overall, with detailed comments provided on the school’s performance. The rating categories are “inadequate” (1), “requires improvement” (2), “good” (3), and “outstanding” (4). 

The evaluation reports are publicly available by searching for a school on the SEA website, so parents can be fully informed about the performance of their child’s school:

https://sea.westerncape.gov.za/reports/

One of the biggest takeaways from the SEA’s report is that there is excellence to be found throughout our province’s school system, across geographical areas and school quintiles. A number of no-fee schools and low-fee schools received an overall evaluation result of “good” or “outstanding”, serving as beacons of hope for communities. 

The Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT), a no-fee quintile 3 school in Khayelitsha, was recognised for outstanding learner achievement and an emphasis on language proficiency across grades. The SEA evaluation noted that the school has a strong foundation of excellent teachers, which results in high levels of learner engagement in the classroom. 

Strong leadership was identified as one of the key features of Spine Road High School, a low-fee quintile 5 school in Mitchell’s Plain, which has achieved excellent learning outcomes over a number of years. The school’s Grade 12 teaching in particular was highlighted as outstanding, so learners at Spine Road are being well prepared to matriculate and begin their further studies and future careers.

The safe and stable environment that Steenberg’s Cove Primêre Skool, a no-fee quintile 2 school in St Helena Bay, offers to learners provides a sense of hope and opportunity to the surrounding rural community. The school sets clear and consistent expectations, valuing respect and positive problem-solving. 

There are countless other examples that show that, while there is still much work to be done, our schools can achieve quality learning outcomes no matter what challenges they face. 

Chief Evaluator of the SEA, David Millar, explains how these evaluations support schools:

“SEA reports strengthen accountability as they are a shared reference point for School Management Teams, districts and School Governing Bodies to monitor progress and hold one another accountable. SEA reports offer actionable recommendations: specific, practical next steps (not vague advice) which enable schools to translate findings into real improvement. Of course, SEA reports focus on what matters most. By prioritising key issues, our reports show schools what to focus on instead of spreading improvement efforts too thinly.”

Congratulations to the evaluators for their excellent work over the period under review, and we look forward to seeing the SEA go from strength to strength in the years ahead!