Western Cape Education Department: About Us

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is responsible for early childhood development, primary and secondary school education in the province. Our primary objectives are to improve the language and mathematics skills of learners; to improve matric results; and improve access to quality education in poor communities.

The WCED plans and manages education via four branches, namely:

• Education Planning
• Curriculum and Assessment Management
• Institution Development and Coordination
• Corporate Services

Education Planning provides research, policy coordination, planning and resource support, centralised information management and quality assurance.

Curriculum and Assessment Management is responsible for curriculum development, support and coordination for general and further education and training, as well as the growing functions of assessment and examinations and in-service teacher training.

Institution Development and Coordination coordinates education management by eight education districts and provides institutional management support to schools. The branch includes the Chief Directorate: Inclusive Education and Special Programmes to manage special school education and other special programmes including Early Childhood Development.

Corporate Services, is responsible for managing financial resources, including, financial and management accounting, internal control, procurement management. It also includes managing people management practices which includes service benefits, recruitment and selection, employee relations and strategic people management.

Vision and Mission

Quality Education
for every child
in every classroom
in every school in the province.

Organisational Structure