Gauteng needs 200 new schools as overcrowding crisis deepens – Maile

Gauteng Education MEC, Lebogang Maile, says the education system is under mounting pressure, with nearly half of all schools now operating beyond capacity as rapid urbanisation and migration continue to drive up learner numbers.

Maile briefed the media at the Provincial Legislature on Tuesday, warning that the crisis has moved beyond education and now reflects broader population and economic pressures shaping the province.

According to the MEC, learner enrolment has more than doubled since 1995, with the system now accommodating over 2.8 million pupils and absorbing around 50,000 new learners each year.

He says this surge is placing severe strain on infrastructure, with 48% of schools overcrowded. Secondary schools remain the hardest hit, with nearly two-thirds operating above capacity.

While some schools still have space, demand remains concentrated in high-density urban and township areas, highlighting how migration patterns and economic activity continue to shape access to education.

Maile says the province now requires at least 200 new schools to stabilise the system, but acknowledges that current budget constraints make this target difficult to achieve.

With more than a thousand schools already overcrowded, infrastructure delivery is struggling to keep pace with demand. The department is now considering alternative funding models, including public-private partnerships, to accelerate school construction.

Maile also pointed to systemic challenges slowing delivery, including project delays, budget constraints, and continued reliance on temporary classrooms.

The pressure is most visible in densely populated townships such as Alexandra, where schools like Bovet Primary are accommodating nearly 3,000 learners within limited space.

Following a visit to the school, Maile warned against disruptions to learning, saying protests and interruptions would only worsen an already critical situation.

He says the department is exploring short-term interventions, including the use of nearby vacant land to ease congestion, although land ownership issues remain a key obstacle.

Long-term plans include redistributing learners to neighbouring schools and introducing additional language streams to expand capacity where possible.

The Gauteng Department of Education has identified at least 45 high-pressure areas for targeted community engagement, as it attempts to balance growing demand with limited infrastructure and financial constraints.

Education Resourcing

Education resourcing in Gauteng is under strain due to rapid enrolment growth, infrastructure backlogs & fiscal constraints. While the allocation has increased to over R68 billion, it remains insufficient relative to demand & inequality across schools. A… pic.twitter.com/1jdGnczVr6

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 28, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe