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Gauteng learners have been forced to learn in dark classrooms and face unsanitary conditions since early 2025, as 525 schools across the province have had their electricity or water disconnected due to the Gauteng Department of Education's (GDE) failure to perform oversight and settle municipal accounts. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng reiterates its demand for GDE to reverse its decision for no-fee schools to be responsible for paying its own utility bills and the creation of a task team to resolve municipal disputes and prevent disconnections.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng Department of Education MEC Matome Chiloane, in response to questions tabled by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to Chiloane, a staggering 521 out of 525 schools have experienced electricity cut-offs. Of these, 293 schools were without power for 30 days or more, with an average disconnection lasting 23 days. Furthermore, four schools had no water supply for as long as 27 days. Critically, 398 of these affected schools are no-fee schools, primarily serving the province’s most vulnerable learners.

These figures represent the suffering experienced by our children due to the department’s severe financial management failure. It is not the schools that are missing payments; it is the GDE. As this crisis unfolds, MEC Chiloane has chosen to sidestep accountability, leaving hundreds of learners, primarily from underprivileged areas, stranded.

This disastrous neglect of vulnerable school children exposes the failure of Premier Lesufi on problem 11 of the 13 problem areas he stated would be prioritised in his State of the Province Address. Gauteng is not only facing a lack of schools, but the schools that are currently available are struggling because of the failure of Lesufi’s leadership.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would ensure timely payment of all school and municipal accounts. An intergovernmental task team would be set up in the MEC's office to monitor billing, resolve disputes, and prevent disconnections. In emergencies, generators, water tankers, and ablution facilities would be provided. Long-term plans would include solar power and boreholes.

The DA will continue to hold the GDE accountable for its actions to ensure that our learners thrive in a conducive environment.

Issued by Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education