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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has launched a petition to stop the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) devastating 64% cut to operational budgets at Quintile 5 public schools, a decision that will directly harm learners, parents, and teachers from 1 April 2026.

This cut is not a minor adjustment by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). It represents a systemic dismantling of functioning public schools. These are schools that receive no fee-exemption subsidies, no infrastructure grants, and no additional learner support, yet are now expected to survive on barely a third of their current allocations. This is an indictment of Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government.

Quintile five schools use these budgets to fund the following essential and non-negotiable services: security and access control, cleaning and hygiene, electricity, water and refuse removal, Information Communication Technology (ICT) connectivity and learning resources, and maintenance of classrooms, laboratories, and sports facilities.

A 64% reduction will force schools to pass costs directly onto parents, cut staff, or abandon services altogether. This will turn stable, well-run public schools into financial crisis zones almost overnight.

This decision punishes parents who already pay school fees, volunteer their time, and keep these schools functioning. It is not driven by necessity, but by political and ideological choices.

Most concerning is that this cut comes while budgets for non-core entities continue to grow, including an increased allocation to the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG), which is now receiving nearly R400 million in the 2026/27 financial year. This exposes a set of priorities that favours red tape and political projects, over classrooms, safety and learning.

The GDE has failed to provide a credible financial justification for the scale of the cut. No risk assessment has been conducted to establish the impact of the budget cut on schools. Furthermore, no explanation has been given for targeting frontline education spending.

The consequences will be immediate and severe, namely, a sharp increase in school fees or one-off “crisis levies”, loss of staff and support personnel, reduced safety and cleanliness at school premises, and deepening inequality within the public education system.

If implemented, learners will pay the price, not politicians. Schools will become less safe, less functional, and less dignified, while the government deflects responsibility.

The DA’s petition calls on the Gauteng Provincial Government to:
• Immediately reverse the 64% cut to Quintile 5 school allocations.
• Table a transparent, line-by-line justification for any proposed budget changes.
• Cut waste and non-core expenditure elsewhere, not on frontline education services.

Yes, this can be done! Parents, educators and residents are urged to add their voices by signing the petition at: https://petitions.da.org.za/p/stop-gp-schools-budget-cut

This is a line in the sand. If the government will not protect public schools that work, communities must.

Issued by Michael Waters MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education