Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government has decided to slash school budgets for quintile five schools for the 2026/2027 financial year by 64%. This puts many of our learners at a huge disadvantage, as quintile five schools are fee-paying schools, and many parents are unable to afford the school fees at these schools. Furthermore, the decision to cut the budget has been taken without any evidence that a proper impact assessment has been conducted.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) states that financial constraints are the reasons for the massive reduction in school budgets, however this rings hollow when one looks at the Mathew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG) which was opened by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) in 2003 is set to receive a staggering R397 911 million and increase of 11% from the 2025/26 budget. Bringing their income to over R750 million in just two years. The MGSLG is meant to provide training and leadership support for principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members.
The GDE should stop funding the MGSLG and direct finances to front-line services – schools!
It appears that Lesufi’s government is targeting quintile five schools as they believe they are soft targets.
This political decision ignores both the economic reality and the dramatic demographic changes that have taken place in Gauteng schools over the past two decades.
Despite the magnitude of the cuts, the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane has failed to demonstrate that the department conducted any analysis of the impact this decision will have on teaching and learning, the knock-on effects on parents, or any plans to protect vulnerable learners.
The budget cuts for the 2026/2027 financial year mean that schools will have to increase their fees or cut back on learner support materials, classroom resources, maintenance, and basic upkeep of school premises, as well as safety and supervision initiatives.
The timing of these cuts is particularly irresponsible. The cost of living has increased, yet household incomes have not for Gauteng residents.
Many parents at Quintile five schools cannot afford higher school fees to make up for the shortfall. Using outdated classifications to justify massive budget cuts is not evidence-based policy, it is administrative laziness and political vindictiveness.
These cuts appear to be an attempt to plug budget holes created elsewhere in the department. Instead of fixing those problems, the department is shifting the burden onto schools, learners, and parents.
The DA demands that MEC Chiloane provide all the information used to justify the budget cuts and release any impact assessment reports if they exist. In addition, we will submit questions to the MEC through the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to determine the exact reasoning behind these budget cuts.
Gauteng’s learners deserve a government that puts their needs first instead of placing a financial burden on the backs of parents who are already struggling.