The appointment of a team of specialists to support provincial education departments with budgeting, financial management and school resourcing is a positive step. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube made this announcement in her budget speech in Parliament today (26 May 2026).

“Provincial education departments are often the weak link in the education chain, especially in terms of finances,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, CEO of the school governing body organisation FEDSAS in reaction to the Minister’s speech. Earlier this month, FEDSAS pointed out that only two provincial education departments, in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, paid the compulsory subsidies to public schools on time and in full in accordance with the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF). 

Minister Gwarube also warned provinces that learners should not become the “shock absorbers” for provincial cash-flow failures but Deacon says this is already a reality. “It happens year after year and is an infringement upon children’s right to education. We cannot just leave it at that – there should be consequences for education officials. We cannot allow children to become the victims of incompetence. Public schools depend on this money and timely and complete payments from provincial education departments are required by law.”

FEDSAS calls for greater transparency in NSSF payments and non-payments. “The team of specialists can provide practical support to provincial departments, which can improve the situation in future. However, we request that this should already become a priority for provincial visits by Parliament’s portfolio committee for basic education.”

Deacon says the education departments in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North-West only paid a portion of the amount due annually by 15 May. Despite requests the full amounts have not been paid yet. 

“In the Free State, FEDSAS will be appealing to the MEC for Education this week following the Education HOD’s decision to centralise certain functions without following due process. If the appeal is not successful we will consider a court application.”

The situation in KwaZulu-Natal has deteriorated further since the provincial treasury took over certain functions, which resulted in a dispute between the two departments. “In KZN, schools are the victims of party politics. It also looks like these schools will receive the money in four payments instead the two required by law,” says Deacon. 

Public schools in Gauteng have not receive any payments to date but the Gauteng Education Department did indicate in a media release that payments will be made at the start of June. “While we wait to see if this happens, it is important to point out that public schools in Gauteng have to depend on the media for information. Schools do not receive any direct communication from the education department.”

FEDSAS is concerned over the current state of affairs. “Education, including basic education, receives the biggest portion of South Africa’s national budget. Subsidies to schools account for about 6% of basic education’s total budget but only a few schools receive the money on time and in full. While we welcome the Minister’s plan to provide specialist support, it also underscores a question that FEDSAS asks every year: Why is a lack of expertise at the level of provincial education management tolerated at all?

Regarding the rest of the Minister’s budget speech, FEDSAS welcomes the shift to the promotion and funding of mother tongue education. “However, as with provincial departments’ finances, our concern remains the ability to turn strategy into action.”