Gauteng schools are falling apart. The education department faces a R31.3 billion maintenance backlog while allocating a budget of a mere 1.36% of needed funds for repairs. Students learn in unsafe, deteriorating buildings as officials ignore the crisis.
A reply from Education MEC Matome Chiloane to a DA question in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature reveals that a 2021 infrastructure report initially estimated R27 billion was needed to bring schools to acceptable standards. That figure has since ballooned by R4.3 billion.
For the 2024/25 financial year, only R427,368,288 has been allocated for maintenance – just 1.36% of what’s required. The department continues business as usual while schools crumble.
According to the report, the backlog breakdown is:
Basic services – R1,476,080,299
Curriculum – R10,364,458,989
Security – R2,817,661,853
Construction – R12,929,264,594
Sport and recreation – R403,698,000
See full reply here.
This maintenance failure undermines Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s SOPA promise to build 18 new schools. The Lesufi administration cannot maintain existing buildings, making new construction promises hollow.
A DA-led Gauteng government would give the education department direct control over its infrastructure and implement a comprehensive plan to address the maintenance backlog, ensuring timely completion of repairs and new buildings to deliver quality education.