Western Cape has more proper schools than rest of the country – minister

Gwarube also pointed out that Gauteng and Western Cape spend a significant portion of their budgets on expanding school capacity due to increasing pupil populations.

However, she said, provinces that underspend on allocated budgets risk funding reductions in subsequent years, leading to further backlogs.

Budget cuts at the national level have affected infrastructure allocations, leading to project delays, she said. “Slow procurement processes and inefficiencies in project implementation often result in unspent funds, despite urgent infrastructure needs.”

In addition, vandalism and theft of school infrastructure have increased costs, requiring additional security measures and maintenance. Budgetary constraints were not only a challenge for the basic education sector but for the entire country, Gwarube said.

She said while SA was facing significant fiscal pressures, any proposals to increase  VAT to address these constraints would have devastating consequences for millions of South Africans.

“ This cannot be the answer. Instead, we must find alternative, sustainable solutions to balance the national budget without further burdening those who can least afford it,” she said.  

In a question-and-answer response in February, Gwarube said the department planned to build 40 schools in the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Eleven schools were to be built in the Eastern Cape, six in the Free State, three in Gauteng, two KwaZulu-Natal.

The department would also build two in Limpopo, two in Mpumalanga, and another two in Northern Cape. There would be eight in the North West and four in the Western Cape. “A total of 1,461 schools are scheduled for repairs and renovations in the 2024/25 financial year,” she said.

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