Gauteng schools brace for financial strain in 2026 following significant reductions in government subsidies. The provincial education department slashed funding for quintile five schools, forcing institutions to reassess budgets months before the new academic year....Click to Read More >>➤
Quintile five schools, which are fee-paying public institutions, received official notice in early October. Their per-learner subsidies will drop from R879 to R315—a dramatic 65% reduction. This decision comes after most schools had already finalized their 2026 financial plans, creating immediate operational challenges.
The Gauteng Department of Education issued the funding change notification through a letter dated September 30. However, the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) claims the announcement violated procedural deadlines. Since schools received the communication after the September 30 cutoff, Fedsas argues the decision lacks legal validity.
Fedsas CEO Jaco Deacon stated, “The decision is invalid since the GDE did not adhere to the deadline. We will act in our members’ interests regarding procedural non-compliance, whether from administrative failure or disregard for regulations.”
Despite receiving a R3.1 billion budget increase from the previous financial year, the GDE reported experiencing a subsidy shortfall. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona explained, “To contain the pressure, the GDE revised its decision to fund quintile five schools using the adequacy amount of quintile four, aligning with national department published adequacy figures.”
Political Reactions and Parental Impact
The Democratic Alliance joined Fedsas in condemning the timing of the subsidy reduction. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio dos Santos noted, “MEC Matome Chiloane’s late communication has caused uncertainty and financial pressure for parents, who now face possible fee increases due to belatedly announced funding reductions.”
The party demands either reversal of the decision or judicial review to protect school stability. Dos Santos emphasized this action would ensure accountability and protect learners’ rights.
The Freedom Front Plus raised additional concerns, noting that all Afrikaans-medium schools in Gauteng appear among the 750 affected institutions. FF+’s Advocate Anton Alberts declared, “In a province where education is already under pressure, it’s unacceptable that a specific language community bears the greatest burden without prior consultation or clear justification.”
Misconceptions About School Funding
Contrary to common perception, quintile five schools don’t necessarily represent wealthier communities. Fedsas Gauteng Manager Deon Lerm highlighted that fee exemption requests continue rising annually across these institutions. He revealed one quintile five school where only 25% of parents currently pay school fees, demonstrating widespread financial pressure.
The subsidy cuts will likely affect teaching resources first, though the GDE denies any reduction in teaching posts. Mabona clarified, “The GDE protects overall teaching posts, and no teacher position has been cut. The status quo remains.”
However, Lerm warned that budget reductions inevitably impact educational quality. “Schools prioritize learners’ best interests, meaning they cut expenditure on aspects like staff development. Ultimately this affects quality education,” he explained.
The funding crisis emerges as Gauteng schools face increasing operational costs and growing financial pressure from communities struggling with economic challenges. The provincial education department now faces mounting opposition to its subsidy restructuring plan as schools scramble to adjust their 2026 budgets amid the funding shortfall. ...Click to Read More >>➤
