Provincial department spends R96 million on travel while schools struggle to get money

The Gauteng Department of Education spent R96 million on travel and related costs while schools in the province struggle to get enough money to survive.

This is feedback from Michael Waters, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the DA Gauteng’s spokesperson for education.

Waters said that the R96 million spent on travel and related costs over the past three financial years include R47.9 million on conference facilities.

The Gauteng Department of Education also spent R21.6 million on shuttle and road transport as part of its travel costs.

R19.61 million was spent on accommodation, R3.04 million on air travel, and R2.75 million on travel management services.

The department also spent approximately R524,000 on vehicle hire and R521,000 on meals, catering and incidental costs.

Waters added that the details provided by the Gauteng Department of Education also contain gaps and apparent inconsistencies that require clarification.

“Of particular concern is the R14.619 million reported under shuttle and road-transport categories in the 2026 financial year,” he said.

He highlighted that a separate reply records only one shuttle booking during that financial year.

“We will submit follow-up questions demanding a complete breakdown of the R21.6 million transport expenditure,” he said.

“We will also ask for details about the R47.9 million spent on conference facilities, international travel, and the inconsistencies present in these replies.”

“The department must explain how this expenditure benefits education and whether more cost-effective alternatives could have freed up funds.”

Gauteng schools left stranded as funding remains unpaid

The details of the Gauteng Department of Education’s spending on travel and related costs come amid a funding crisis at many schools.

Last month, Waters revealed that Gauteng schools were waiting for R971 million in Norms and Standards funding, months after the money was due.

He said that Gauteng schools were suffering the consequences of a provincial financial crisis.

“The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has admitted that these delays are preventing schools from purchasing essential teaching materials,” he said.

Evidence presented to the Gauteng Legislature’s Education Portfolio Committee has revealed a concerning deterioration in the province’s financial position.

Gauteng Provincial Treasury previously had reserves that allowed it to provide timely cash allocations to schools for Norms and Standards.

However, these reserves are now depleted, causing schools to face several-month delays in receiving their expected funding.

“Every day funding remains unpaid, the financial pressure on schools intensifies. Schools still have financial obligations to meet,” he said.

“Schools are forced to find ways to keep operating while waiting for the funding they are owed.”

He added that the financial crisis was foreseeable, as the Treasury knew that schools required large transfers at specific times of the year.

“In previous years, provincial reserves provided the financial buffer needed to advance the cash and recover it later,” he said.

“Teachers and learners should not have to worry about whether there is enough money for essential services or school programmes.”

“Their priority should be teaching and learning, not worrying whether the lights will be on tomorrow or the taps will be running because of unpaid utility bills.”