Key Takeaways:
- The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) claims it is not responsible for building schools, but has intervened to address the shortage of educational institutions.
- Over 11,000 parents are still awaiting placement confirmation for their children for the 2026 academic year.
- The GDE has built only 48 public schools since the start of the 2015/16 financial year, despite a significant increase in new learners.
- The Department has deployed satellite schools to absorb the surplus of learners and is working on a project to build new schools in high-pressure areas.
- Parents can object to placement outcomes by completing an electronic objection form online within seven days of receipt.
Introduction to the Crisis
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has stated that it is not responsible for building schools to alleviate the pressure on the province’s educational institutions. This statement was made by the Department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. The spokesperson explained that the Department of Infrastructure is responsible for building schools, but due to the current situation, the GDE has had to intervene and partner with other organizations to build schools. This intervention is a result of the significant increase in new learners entering the public schooling system each year, with over 124,000 new learners in 2025, up from 90,992 in 2015.
The Shortage of Schools
The GDE has informed Parliament that the number of new learners entering its public schooling system has increased significantly over the years, with the majority coming from foreign countries. Despite this, the province has only built 48 public schools since the start of the 2015/16 financial year, which is less than half the number built by the Western Cape. This has resulted in an average of 1,127 learners per school, with the province having 2.33 million learners and only 2,068 schools to accommodate them. The data from The Outlier reveals that the province has not kept pace with the growing demand for educational institutions, leading to a severe shortage of schools.
Urban Development and School Capacity
When asked about the rate of urban development relative to the number of schools built, Mabona explained that municipalities continue to approve housing projects but not the expansion of schools. The Department has reached out to developers, given that new housing will necessitate increased school capacity in certain areas. However, the Department faces challenges in expanding school capacity, as the increase in classrooms is often above the approved capacity for the school. This has led to a stalemate between the Department and municipalities, with the Department struggling to provide adequate educational facilities for the growing population.
Mitigating the Crisis
The GDE has deployed satellite schools to absorb the surplus of learners, and the spokesperson claims that these schools can provide temporary relief. However, the Department is also working on a project to build several schools in high-pressure areas, which is expected to be completed as early as March 2026. The Department is facing challenges in building new brick-and-mortar schools, including delays due to the interference of business forums and contractors providing substandard work. Despite these challenges, the Department is committed to providing adequate educational facilities for the growing population.
Parental Frustration
Over 11,000 parents are still awaiting confirmation of their child’s placement for the 2026 academic year, despite being told that they would know by the end of the academic year. Parents have taken to social media to express their frustration and seek clarity on the placement process. The GDE has stated that the placement criteria are applied in order of priority, including home address within the school’s feeder zone, sibling or previous school, work address within the school’s feeder zone, and home address within a 30 km radius. Parents who do not receive an offer from any of the schools to which they applied will receive transfer offers from the next closest school with available space.
Placement Process and Objections
The GDE has outlined the placement process, including the criteria used to determine placement offers. Parents who wish to object to a placement outcome can do so by completing an electronic objection form online within seven days of receipt. The objections will be reviewed based on merit, and outcomes will be communicated to parents within two weeks. The Department has encouraged parents to follow the correct procedures for objecting to placement outcomes, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed. By providing a clear and transparent placement process, the Department aims to alleviate some of the frustration and uncertainty experienced by parents.
