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By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Gauteng education department has issued a statement to clarify that it did not say it would build 4000 satellite schools, following reports, including from the Democratic Alliance, of overcrowding at many of the province’s schools.
“As the department, we must correct the assertion that we said we will build over 4000 satellite schools.
“In our most recent media statement regarding late applications issued on 29 January 2025 which must be noted availed an opportunity to parents who did not apply during our application period, we announced that the satellite schools we introduced in 2025 will provide over 4417 additional spaces for placement in high-pressure areas,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
Mabona also said that some of satellite schools had started operating, while others still needed to be completed.
The department said 292 primary schools and 277 secondary schools were regarded as high-pressure schools.
As examples, Laerskool Akasia received 1475 Grade 1 applications with a capacity of 240 learners and Hoërskool Langehoven received 3081 Grade 8 applications with a capacity of 300 learners.
“To assist high-pressure schools in accommodating more learners, the department implemented several interventions to address classroom shortages and enhance learning spaces.
“These measures included the provision of mobile classroom units, building satellite schools and transferring of funds to schools for self-build classroom projects, enabling schools to expand their capacity based on immediate needs,” Mabona said.
The DA said that during an oversight inspection at Randvaal Primary School in Sedibeng, it discovered that 53 learners in a single classroom.
Mabona’s statement followed DA MPL Sergio Dos Santos saying he had written to the department to inquire about the status of the 4000 satellite schools.
“The DA Gauteng reiterates its call for the Gauteng department of education to take immediate action by providing additional mobile classrooms and essential resources to address the overcrowding crisis in our schools throughout the province,” Dos Santos said in a statement.
Meanwhile, National Association of School Governing Bodies’ Nosipho Ntombela told Inside Education that 88% of schools in Soweto were without chairs, including Lofentse Girls High school, Orlando High School and Bona High School.
While overcrowding was major concern in Gauteng schools, Ntlombela also mentioned that Grade 10 learners of Job Rathebe School were without textbooks, and most classes were overcrowded by more than 50 learners.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane said that the department remained committed to transparency and ensuring every learner was placed in a suitable learning environment.
“We are on course to alleviate pressure from all identified schools. Schools are proceeding with the self-build classroom project and new schools will also be introduced across the province accordingly,” he said.
INSIDE EDUCATION