Gauteng Department of Education defends former Model C school funding ‘realignment’

The Gauteng Department of Education is defending what it calls a 'realignment' of funding to certain schools in the province.

Funding allocations for over 400 former Model C schools (quintile 5 schools) will be reduced from 1 April, with the Department citing pressure on national budgets.

The GDE says the process does not constitute a budget cut, but rather a 'realignment to nationally prescribed adequacy rates, particularly correcting the historical funding of certain quintile 5 fee-paying schools'.

“It will be completely devastating for the schools,” says FEDSAS CEO Dr Jaco Deacon.

The Department says the move was necessitated by severe budget reductions imposed by the National Treasury, which have affected all provinces.

Deacon says it places an unfair burden on public schools.

“The difference between the amount they should have been getting — this year it should have been R920, but now they’re only going to be getting R315 — so it’s about R600 less per learner per year,” he says.

The impact of the cuts is likely to be seen in the number of teachers at schools and the availability of subjects.

“At the end of the day, the learners will definitely get the short end of this.”

The GDE says it has been transparent and provided ample notice to schools, which it says were formally notified through indicative budget allocation certificates issued in September 2025.

Deacon disagrees.

“They made the announcement too late. They only announced it after schools completed their budget meetings and the budget process.”

Trying to make up the loss in funding through mid-term school fee increases would result in an uproar among parents, Deacon adds.

“I don’t think that’s a viable option for schools."

To listen to Deacon, use the audio player below: