GDE clarifies school electricity debt and service interruptions

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has clarified matters relating to electricity debt owed by some public schools to municipalities, which led to service interruptions.

The Department refutes assertions that it placed the burden of arrear accounts on some schools.

The GDE MEC, Matome Chiloane, said they can confirm that schools were allocated funds in November 2025 specifically to settle their municipal obligations, including electricity accounts.

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“The department had also previously communicated with School Governing Bodies (SGBs) on the decentralisation of the payment of municipal accounts, and their responsibility to ensure the relevant allocations were accordingly utilised to settle their municipal accounts and pay their monthly electricity consumption.

“It is therefore quite concerning that some schools are not paying their municipal accounts despite having received the necessary allocations and being aware of their responsibilities to pay their accounts,” Chiloane said.

In Eldorado Park, for example, the department had allegedly allocated the following funds in November 2025 to the mentioned schools for the purpose of paying their municipal accounts:

Kliptown Primary: R 233 167
Eldorado Park Secondary: R 523 503
Heerengracht Primary: R 358 739
Eldomaine High School: R 512 306

“We urge all affected schools to engage municipalities where applicable, in order to negotiate payment arrangements and work towards settling outstanding debt.

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The Department is currently facilitating processes for schools to receive their 2026/27 financial year allocations, which are expected to be received on or before May 15. These allocations will assist schools in meeting their operational commitments, including municipal services.

“In the meantime, the Gauteng Department of Education will continue to engage municipalities not to cut their services, particularly as the interruption of electricity supply may negatively affect teaching and learning.”

“We wish to reiterate that we are engaging with all municipalities as this challenge is notably experienced across the province.

“These engagements will assist schools in ensuring they consistently pay their accounts and that their payments and accounts remain accurate at all times. Going forward, schools must also ensure that they use the allocations they receive strictly for their intended purposes.”