MEC Excellence Awards
Recognising academic achievement, innovation, and school excellence across all districts. The annual awards celebrate top-performing learners, educators, and schools.
Programmes
Provincial Programmes & Campaigns
The flagship initiatives delivering on the Department's strategic priorities — from learner excellence to safe school infrastructure.
About our programmes
The Eastern Cape Department of Education delivers an evolving portfolio of programmes that translate provincial education policy into action in classrooms, schools, and communities. Each programme is anchored in the National Development Plan 2030 and the Department's Annual Performance Plan.
This section will grow as detailed pages are published per programme. For now, an overview is provided below. Get in touch with the relevant branch for participation, partnership, or media queries.
Flagship programmes
NSC Improvement Programme
Targeted support for matric performance. The provincial pass rate has progressed from 65% (2017) to over 81% (2023) with continued focus on at-risk districts.
Air School Programme
Launched January 2025 with 43 Air Base — a first for the province and the country. 50 learners participate in an aviation-themed enrichment pathway.
MTBBE — Mother-Tongue-Based Bilingual Education
MTBBE extends mother-tongue instruction beyond the Foundation Phase so that learners build strong literacy and conceptual foundations in their home language while acquiring English. The programme supports cognitive development, improved comprehension, and the preservation of the province's indigenous languages.
- Home-language instruction in Foundation and Intermediate phases
- Bilingual teaching and learning materials
- Educator training in multilingual pedagogy
- Advancement of isiXhosa and other indigenous languages
Infrastructure
The Department drives school infrastructure revitalisation and learner safety, including the School Safety & Pit Toilet Eradication programme. Work covers replacing inappropriate sanitation, upgrading and building school structures, water and electricity provision, and safety measures such as access control and partnerships with SAPS.
- Pit-toilet eradication and proper sanitation
- New schools and classroom construction
- Maintenance and refurbishment
- School safety and access control
Learner Enrichment Programme
Academic and developmental enrichment that stretches learners beyond the classroom — wrapping care, opportunity, and excellence around every child. Delivered with partners including the Departments of Health and Social Development.
- Academic camps, winter and spring schools
- Olympiads, competitions, and the MEC Excellence Awards
- Reading and STEM enrichment
- Psychosocial support, nutrition, and scholar transport (CSTL)
- Sport, arts, and cultural development
Human Resources Development
Building the capacity of the people who deliver education — educators, support staff, and administrators — so the system is staffed by skilled, motivated professionals.
- Educator training and continuing professional development (CPTD)
- Bursaries and the Funza Lushaka teaching pipeline
- Internships and graduate placement
- Leadership and management development
- Skills development aligned to the HRD strategy
Employee Wellness
The Employee Wellness Programme supports the health, resilience, and morale of the Department's staff across head office and all districts — recognising that healthy, supported employees deliver better education services.
- Physical fitness and sport, including the Department's Comrades Marathon team
- Mental-health and psychosocial support
- In-office wellness sessions and health screenings
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and financial wellness
- HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, and support
National School Nutrition Programme
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) provides nutritious daily meals to learners in qualifying schools across the Eastern Cape — improving attendance, concentration, and learning outcomes while contributing to food security in vulnerable communities.
- Daily meals for learners in quintile 1–3 (no-fee) schools
- Nutrition education and healthy-eating promotion
- School food gardens and food-production support
- Local sourcing and SMME / cooperative involvement
- Monitoring of menus, food safety, and delivery
Programme contact
For programme participation, partnership proposals, or media queries:
- General enquiries: 040 608 4200
- Citizen Care (Toll-Free): 080 121 2570
- Email: customercarecentre@ecdoe.gov.za
- Postal: Private Bag X0032, Bhisho, 5605
