By Charmaine Ndlela

The Gauteng government says it has invested more than R2 billion in social infrastructure projects during the 2026/27 financial year, with five long-delayed schools now completed as part of efforts to improve education infrastructure across the province.

During the State of Governance address on Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the provincial infrastructure turnaround plan was beginning to deliver results, with about 24 new and delayed projects creating temporary jobs and opportunities for township-based small businesses.

ALSO READ: Soshanguve learners turn to farming as school expands practical skills training

“More than R2 billion has been invested in social infrastructure projects this financial year,” Lesufi said during a media address on Wednesday.

Completed projects include the Bantubonke Early Childhood Development Centre in Midvaal, Rust-ter-Vaal Secondary School in Midvaal, Dr W.K. du Plessis LSEN School in Springs, Nancefield Primary School in Eldorado Park and Simunye Primary School in Westonaria.

Lesufi said work was continuing at Semphato Junior Secondary School in Soshanguve, the Bekkersdal Social Integrated Facility in Randfontein, the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Lab and the Women’s Living Monument in Tshwane.

The investment comes as Gauteng continues to face pressure on its public school infrastructure, particularly in areas experiencing population growth and high demand for school places.

The province is also implementing 26 rehabilitation, renovation and refurbishment projects, including work at Thubelihle Intermediate School in Soweto, St Ansgar’s Combined School in Randburg and Laerskool Generaal Nicolaas Smit in Tshwane.

According to Lesufi, the infrastructure turnaround strategy is intended to address the province’s long-delayed project pipeline while ensuring that new infrastructure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education is dealing with significant demand for school placements following the closure of the 2027 Online Admissions application period on 4 September.

ALSO READ: UJ tops South Africa in 10 subjects in global rankings

The department received 805,688 applications for Grades 1 and 8 for the 2027 academic year, with 357,468 parents and guardians registering on the online admissions system.

The system recorded 169,396 unique Grade 1 learners and 177,481 unique Grade 8 learners, amounting to 346,877 individual learners seeking placement in the two entry grades.

Lesufi said the department was now processing applications and working to ensure learners were placed efficiently and fairly while managing pressure on schools with high levels of demand.

The province is also preparing for the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations, with Lesufi saying the necessary examination centres, personnel, security measures and systems had been put in place.

“We have put the necessary systems, examination centres, personnel and security measures in place to ensure that the examinations are conducted smoothly, securely and with integrity,” he said.

He also commended educators, school management teams, examination officials, security agencies, parents and learners for their work ahead of the examinations.

Lesufi also addressed delays in the payment of 2026/27 school subsidies, saying the province had initially planned to pay the first 50% tranche, amounting to R2.6 billion, by 15 May.

However, the department received insufficient cash allocations from Treasury to cover the subsidy payments in full while also paying suppliers and dealing with previous-year accruals.

To date, R1.7 billion has been paid, with R900 million still outstanding.

For public ordinary and special schools, the outstanding R900 million is planned to be paid during September and October, subject to the monthly cash-flow allocation from Treasury.

For independent subsidised schools, the two tranches amounting to 50% of the subsidy have been paid. The remaining tranches are scheduled for November and January, in line with policy and subject to cash availability.

INSIDE EDUCATION 

The post Gauteng invests more than R2bn in social infrastructure as five delayed schools completed appeared first on Inside Education..