Gauteng spent R1.4 billion on temporary classrooms but only built 6 new schools per year

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said that only 202 public schools have been built over the past 32 years.

In comparison, the department spent more than R1.4 billion on temporary classrooms over five years.

This was revealed by Gauteng MEC for Education, Lebogang Maile, in response to a question from Gauteng Legislature Member, Sergio Isa Dos Santos.

“Gauteng learners continue to endure overcrowded classrooms and struggle for placement every year because of severe school shortages,” he said.

He added that while only six new schools are built per year, numerous schools inherited from the previous dispensation remain abandoned and unused.

“The department has failed to harness the potential of this existing public infrastructure, which could help relieve severe overcrowding,” he said.

“This infrastructure could accommodate learners who remain unplaced because schools in high-pressure areas have reached capacity.

He also bemoaned the fact that the Gauteng Department of Education spent more than R1.4 billion on temporary classrooms over five years.

“Instead of focusing on long-term solutions, like upgrading existing school infrastructure from pre-1994, the department invested heavily in quick fixes,” he said.

“Temporary classrooms may provide short-term relief, but they cannot substitute for safe, permanent school infrastructure.”

Dos Santos said that by assessing, renovating, and reopening viable abandoned schools, the department could expand capacity in high-pressure areas.

“No child should be denied access to education or forced to learn in an overcrowded or temporary classroom that is not conducive to learning,” he said.

Dos Santos said that he will write to Maile, requesting that he conduct and publish an audit of all abandoned and underutilised school properties across the province.

This, he said, will help to identify buildings that can be safely renovated and reopened for use, particularly in high-pressure school placement zones.