Gauteng Department of Education has promised to start paying out school subsidies at the beginning of June after acknowledging considerable delays in their distribution, which were due by May 15, 2026.

Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation MEC Lebogang Maile has expressed his apologies to all schools and stakeholders of Gauteng for the delays in the release of funds.

“We want to assure the public and all stakeholders that the funds are there and schools will start accessing them from the start of June,” said Maile.

Moreover, schools are entitled to as per paragraph 12A of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF)

The Gauteng department of education states that the funds are used for maintenance, administrative expenses, municipal services, and learning and teaching support items.

The finances are essential to equity in the educational system, even outside of operations. They are intended to guarantee equal access to high-quality education regardless of the financial level of a community. Furthermore, they particularly assist schools that are unable to make enough money from tuition, which is a reality for many establishments in historically underfunded areas.

MEC Maile underlines that the funds are key in the promotion of proper school governance, financial management, and improved educational outcomes. Provincial education departments must pay 50% to school subsidies on or before May 15, 2026 and before November 15, 2026 in accordance with the NNSSF.

Furthermore, Maile reported that schools received allocated letters informing them of precise sums they will receive for the fiscal year.