The national Budget decides how much government spends on things like Early Childhood Development (ECD). This year’s Budget is in February, and the government has invited people to share their ideas on what its spending priorities should be. All you need to do is complete a short and simple ‘Budget Tip’ form.

Please take just 5 minutes to submit your Budget Tip. 

Here is how to submit:

1. Open the Budget Tips 2026 form and add your details
2. Under ‘Which budget category does your tip relate to?’ choose ‘Government spending’.
3. Then in the blank space for the tip, just copy and paste the draft below or add your own tip.

4. Click ‘Submit’. That’s it!

Form submissions close: 16 February 2026

The Minister of Basic Education said, “Without strong foundations in the early years, inequity will always return later.” Yet government funds early childhood development programmes at just R6,336 per child per year, compared to over R25,000 per learner in the schooling system.This means that every year, hundreds of thousands of young children in low-income communities are missing out on quality early learning that is essential for their future and for building a strong society and economy.