The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is to provide equitable access to quality education for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Department's strategic goals are to broaden access to education and provide resources; improve schools' functionality and educational outcomes at all levels; develop human resource and organisational capacity and enhance skills; develop schools into centres of community focus, care and support; ensure good corporate governance, management and an efficient administration; and promote national identity and social cohesion.