Schools crumble as provincial policy compromises maintenance
One of the pressing concerns facing state schools in Pretoria is the lack of access to the internet, a challenge that may remain unresolved for the foreseeable future. According to a provincial legilasture member, the department's budget for tackling these repairs and building of new schools is alarmingly low.
In 2021, an estimated R27-billion was needed to bring Gauteng’s schools up to an acceptable standard.
Fast forward to today, and that figure has skyrocketed to a staggering R31-billion required for upgrades, repairs and maintenance.
However, the provincial budget allocation for the 2024/25 financial year is far less.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed in the Gauteng legislature that only R427-million has been earmarked for maintenance – a mere 1.36% of the total amount required.
“The department continues business as usual while schools crumble,” said Mike Waters, DA member of the provincial legislature, criticising the lack of action on the growing crisis.
Waters expressed particular concern over the state of schools across Pretoria, warning that students are being subjected to learning environments that do not foster optimal education.
Mike Waters, DA member of the provincial legislature
“Schools across Pretoria are being neglected, which results in learners not being in a conducive environment that maximises their learning,” Waters told Rekord.
One of his most pressing concerns is the lack of internet access in most classrooms across Pretoria, a situation he deems “deeply worrying”.
Waters argued that the ongoing failure to address these infrastructure issues is effectively denying students the education they deserve.
“Students are also learning in unsafe, deteriorating buildings as officials ignore the crisis,” he added.
The backlog, according to Waters, reveals a particularly concerning shortfall in construction repairs, which account for a massive R12.93-billion of the total maintenance budget. This includes essential repairs such as broken toilets, unsafe buildings, missing sports facilities, and vandalised classrooms.
“The failure to maintain schools undermines Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s promise in his State of the Province Address to build 18 new schools. How can they promise new construction when they cannot even maintain the schools we already have?” Waters questioned.
His proposed solution?
A restructuring that would give the Education Department direct control over its infrastructure, allowing for a comprehensive and streamlined plan to address the maintenance backlog and ensure timely repairs and new building projects, ultimately delivering the quality education students deserve.
