SECTION27 warns Gauteng budget may fall short of improving education and healthcare

Advocacy group SECTION27 is warning that the Gauteng provincial budget is unlikely to yield improvements in education and healthcare, despite both sectors receiving the largest share of funding.

The group said that while the allocations appear significant, existing debt and accruals within provincial departments could limit the impact of the spending.

Earlier on Tuesday, Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile tabled the province’s nearly R180 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, stating that the realities of the provincial economy have constrained government spending.

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Budget analyst at SECTION27, Matshidiso Lengoasa, says the budget fails to adequately address key education challenges in the province, including underspending on scholar transport and the need for new schools.

“On the surface, the numbers look impressive, but when you look at the real state of education access in the province, there are serious issues. Provincial departments are carrying accruals and debt, which means money that is allocated is almost thrown in a bottomless pit.”