The Department of Education in the North West Province employs over 26 600 educators.

There were 8 tertiary educational institutions, which prior to 1994 could not provide the necessary skills needed by educators to ensure quality learning and teaching. With restructuring in a democratic South Africa having taken place, it is now the responsibility of the North West University, Mafikeng Campus to train both pre - and in-service educators.

The results of this restructuring has begun to bear fruit, and according to Dr Popo Molefe - Premier of the North West Province - the number of learners passing Grade 12 continues to rise.

The number of dysfunctional schools has dropped from 91 in 2001, to 59 in 2002. Even more encouraging is the fact that the matriculation pass rate in dysfunctional schools has risen from 32.6% in 2001 to 49.8% in 2002.

Whilst these statistics reflect an improvement, the situation is still far from satisfactory.