Some 750 public schools in Gauteng had their state subsidy suddenly cut by more than 60%. The Gauteng Education Department informed quintile 5 schools in the province that the national tariff of R315 per learning for resource allocations to quintile 5 schools will be in effect for 2026. Schools only received this information after the annual deadline of 30 September. This despite the precedent set by the Gauteng Education Department by not distinguishing between quintile 4 and 5 schools. For many years, quintile 5 schools in Gauteng received the same per-learner amount as quintile 4 schools (R838).

          “This decision is placing enormous financial pressure on public schools,” says Mr Deon Lerm, Gauteng Manager of FEDSAS (Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools). According to the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF), provincial education departments must pay these resource allocations to public schools twice a year (in May and November). Schools use the money for expenses such as textbooks, stationary, and water and electricity, among others. Quintile 4 and 5 schools may charge school fees since the per-learner tariff is lower. There are about 3000 of these school in the country. 

          “The assumption is often that schools that charge school fees are wealthy schools. This is not the case. Not all quintile 5 schools in Gauteng are in wealthier neighbourhoods. In addition, FEDSAS’s Education in Numbers report showed that applications for exemption of school fees and defaults on payments have increased drastically. At some schools up to 35% of school fees cannot be recovered. Combined with this sudden loss of more than 60% of the subsidy the immensity of the provincial education department’s decision becomes clear.”

          Lerm says one example is a quintile 5 high school in Pretoria where only about 25% of parents pay school fees. “The school principle says their already limited budget was suddenly cut by R600 000 due to the new per-learner tariff. The best interests of learners remain their priority, which means that expenditure on aspects such as staff development is cut. Ultimately this affects quality education.”

          Some of these schools are forced to cut SGB posts to ensure that there is enough money for basic needs. Lerm says one school principal described the amount of R315 as symbolic since the real contribution is basically meaningless.

          Post provisioning in Gauteng is already problematic. Earlier this month, FEDSAS had to call on the Minister of Basic Education to intervene urgently after five provinces did not supply the 2026 post provisions to public schools before the deadline. 

          “Although the Gauteng Education Department’s letters regarding post provisions and resource allocations are dated 30 September 2025, schools received these letters after the deadline. The 30 September cut-off applies to all information that school governing bodies need to prepare their budgets for the next year,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, CEO of FEDSAS. 

          Deacon says although the Gauteng Education Department has the right to apply the national tariffs, the Schools’ Act stipulates that this should comply with mandatory procedural safeguards. FEDSAS has already sent a letter to the Gauteng Education Department, requesting written confirmation that the resource allocations for quintile 5 schools will not be adapted for 2026.

“The decision is invalid since the Gauteng Education Department did not adhere to the deadline. Should the department persist in implementing the reduced rate, FEDSAS will not hesitate to take additional steps. This includes intervention by the Minister of Basic Education and possible judicial review of the decision in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act,” says Deacon.

          Deacon says FEDSAS remains committed to cooperation and constructive engagement with the Gauteng Education Department. “However, we will act in the interests of our members in instances of procedural non-compliance, irrespective of whether it is the result of administrative incompetence of blatant contempt of rules and regulations.”

          The only way to stop the systemic decay in the public education system is to start doing the basics right and to ensure that there are consequences for violations by officials, heads of education departments and MECs.