Note to Editors: Please note Sakhile Mngadi, MPL sound bites in English and isiZulu
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is deeply concerned by the chronic underfunding of many schools across the province, crippling their ability to function effectively.
The most serious example relates to the Norms and Standards allocations, mandated by the South African Schools Act. These allocations are intended to cover the basic operational needs of public schools, including water and electricity, municipal services, learning support materials (LTSM), cleaning supplies and other essentials needed to sustain an environment conducive to learning.
Despite this, KZN schools are being paid far below the national benchmark per learner allocation, leaving them unable to meet even the most basic obligations:
– The 2024/25 National Norms and Standards payment per learner is R1 672 in quintile 1 to 3 (no fee) schools – yet KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) is paying just R955 per learner;
– The payment for quintile 4 and 5 (fee-paying) schools should be R838 and R289 per learner – yet KZN’s DoE is paying only R522 and R179 per learner.
This equates to a shortfall of R717 per learner in no-fee schools and R316 and R110 respectively in fee-paying schools ranked quintile 4 and 5. Overall, this leaves KZN schools underfunded by more than R2 billion.
These are not abstract figures. The DA recently conducted oversight at Phuthini Secondary School in uThukela, where the impact of underfunding is stark. The principal has been forced to run an electricity connection from a neighbour’s home using an extension cord because the school cannot afford its electricity bill. He has also had to pay out of his own pocket to print essential documents and materials for learners. This is an untenable and deeply unjust situation.
Schools cannot plan, manage, or account effectively when funding is both below the required benchmark and erratically disbursed. The DA is therefore exploring proposals to:
– Ringfence all Norms and Standards funding so that it cannot be diverted to other departmental costs, and align it with the national benchmark of R1 672 per learner; and
– Guarantee two tranches of payments – made six months in advance of when funds are required – to allow schools the necessary time for financial planning and controls.
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) also continues to suffer from erratic implementation, creating uncertainty for learners who depend on it daily. While funded separately from Norms and Standards, the reality is the same: schools and principals are left to carry the cost when government fails.
KZN’s schools are collapsing under the weight of a system that refuses to take operational sustainability seriously. Our learners’ futures cannot be compromised due to government’s failure in its most basic duty – to adequately fund the schools it expects to function. The DA reiterates its call for KZN DoE HOD, Nkosinathi Ngcobo to be removed. These serious, ongoing failures have taken place on his watch and he should be held accountable.
The DA will continue to fight for accountability and equitable allocations. No child’s education should depend on whether their principal can personally afford to keep the lights on.