Gauteng education system under pressure despite gains – MEC Maile

Gauteng MEC for Education, Lebogang Maile, has outlined persistent challenges facing the province’s education system, including overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs, weak learning outcomes and teacher shortages.

Speaking in a media briefing on Sunday, the Gauteng Department of Education said while significant progress has been made since 1994, structural pressures continue to impact the quality of education and learner outcomes. 

Growing enrolment and pressure on infrastructure

Learner enrolment in Gauteng has more than doubled from 1 408 237 in 1995 to over 2.8 million in 2026, driven by urbanisation and migration into the province.

Despite achieving near-universal access to education, the department said rising learner numbers continue to strain infrastructure.

Gauteng faces a placement challenge driven by in-migration, with overcrowding in many township and inner-city schools reaching between 60 and 70 learners per teacher.

An estimated 723 schools show signs of overcrowding in some grades or across the whole school, with a documented shortage of about 5 554 classrooms – 3 166 in primary and 2 388 in secondary schools. 

Many facilities are in poor condition, increasing reliance on temporary structures and contributing to unsafe learning environments. Gauteng faces a deficit of at least 200 new schools to stabilise the system. 

Although the province repeatedly commits to building 10 new schools per year, many projects are behind schedule, increasing reliance on temporary classrooms as a short-term measure. 

“While the Gauteng Department of Education continues to deliver classrooms and new schools where needed, we have not been able to keep pace with the growth in the learner population. This is compounded by ageing infrastructure and, in some cases, inappropriate building materials or temporary prefabricated classrooms,” Maile said.  

Furniture shortages have also been identified, with tens of thousands of chairs and desks still needed across primary and secondary schools.

Budget constraints and resource pressures

Although the provincial education budget has increased significantly over the years, financial constraints remain a major challenge.

The department said rising costs, particularly for educational materials and school nutrition, continue to erode gains made through increased allocations.

“A rising wage bill for educators consumes a large share of the budget, leaving limited funding for learning materials, maintenance, and new infrastructure,” the MEC said. 

Austerity measures have also impacted key areas such as scholar transport, school safety, and learning and teaching support materials.

Early Childhood Development gaps

The department identified unequal access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a major concern.

The sector remains privately operated in Gauteng, with many centres unregistered and unable to access government subsidies.

“The key challenges with ECD centres in Gauteng is that a large number remain unregistered, often operating from informal structures that do not meet municipal health and safety requirements,” he said. 

Registration processes remain slow, while subsidy funding is insufficient to meet growing demand, particularly in low-income communities.

Weak literacy and numeracy outcomes

Learning outcomes, particularly in literacy and numeracy, remain a critical concern.

According to international assessments, about 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning, with similar challenges reflected in Gauteng schools.

“In Gauteng, weak early-grade reading, comprehension, and numeracy create a silent crisis where learners progress without mastering basics,” Maile said. 

The department said this contributes to poor performance in subjects such as Mathematics and Physical Sciences, particularly in overcrowded schools.

Textbook shortages also persist, with 871 public schools reporting gaps in learning materials.

Teacher shortages and capacity challenges

Teacher quality and availability remain uneven across the province, particularly in critical subjects.

Gauteng faces a shortage of qualified educators in Mathematics, Science and Technology, with an estimated shortfall of 370 teachers in key technical subjects.

“Large classes, often comprising of over 50 learners, contribute to burnout and limit individual attention,” the Mec said. 

The department also highlighted the need for more Foundation Phase teachers, particularly those proficient in African languages.

School safety and learner wellbeing concerns

School safety continues to be a major concern, with incidents of violence, bullying, substance abuse and mental health challenges affecting learners.

“School safety and learner wellness are increasingly material risks to learning in Gauteng, with incidents of violence near school premises, bullying, substance abuse, and escalating mental health needs,” the department said. 

While partnerships with the South African Police Service and other stakeholders are in place, community crime and gang activity continue to impact schools.

Strategic plan to drive reform

Meanwhile, the department has adopted its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan aimed at improving education outcomes and modernising the system.

The plan focuses on integrating technology into the curriculum, strengthening maths and science education, expanding technical schools, and improving overall learner performance.

“We are committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning in Gauteng, but we recognise that as the provincial government, we cannot achieve this on our own,” the MEC said. 

The department said it will engage stakeholders, including schools, parents, and the private sector, to support the implementation of the plan.

Public-private partnerships and collaboration with civil society and other institutions are expected to play a key role in addressing the province’s education challenges.

“We will also be relying on the media to continue its important work of informing and educating the public, while also maintaining its independence and holding us accountable where necessary,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za

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