The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has tabled a bold and transformative education budget of R68 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, reflecting a clear commitment to building an inclusive, skilled and future-ready generation.

Education MEC Matome Chiloane unveiled the budget during a sitting of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on July 17, 2024, with further public briefing at Jeppe Girls High School on July 20, 2025.

MEC Chiloane says this R68 billion allocation reflects our dedication to building a generation of skilled, confident, and capable learners who will drive South Africa’s economic growth and social transformation.

The budget represents a 4.9% increase from the previous year’s R64.8 billion and is underpinned by a Strategic Framework for Educational Excellence focused on four key pillars.

Strategy 1, Early Childhood Development

R734 million has been allocated to universalize Grade R, expand access to ECD programmes, and train practitioners to NQF Level 6.

Chiloane highlighted the story of Sis Nomsa, who transformed her informal ECD initiative in Lawley Extension 2 into a fully registered and compliant centre through GDE support.

“Her centre now stands as a beacon of hope and proof that even in informal settlements like Kokotela, hope can flourish, and quality learning can begin from birth.”

Strategy 2, Promote Quality Education

Receives R2.2 billion, funding interventions in literacy, STEM, and technical skills. Notable success stories include Lufhereng Secondary School, which achieved a 100% pass rate with 97% Bachelor passes, and Raymond Mhlaba Secondary School, a model of township excellence.

MEC Chiloane also praised Gauteng’s top learner, Musawenkosi Buthelezi from Zimisele Secondary School, who obtained the highest subject scores in the province.

“Quality education is not a privilege of location, but a right we are delivering to every learner.”

Strategy 3, Changing the Educational Landscape

The largest slice, R3.9 billion, is for Strategy 3, Changing the Educational Landscape. This strategy focuses on Multi-Certification Skills Programmes (MCSP), which provide learners with certifications in coding, robotics, AI, firefighting, first aid and more.

Chiloane further celebrated learners from Katlehong School of Specialisation, who are currently job shadowing at Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes-Benz, and applauded the Soshanguve SOS team for winning an award in Ethiopia with their electric car project.

Strategy 4, Create Safe Schools

With an allocation of R2.9 billion, supports school safety, nutrition, health programmes and transport for over 228,000 learners.

The MEC commended the principals of Qalabotsha and Tshepo ya Rona Secondary Schools for their gratitude following security deployments and paid tribute to Mr Noko Selepe, the principal of Primrose Primary School, who returned to work after being shot by a learner.

With 2.83 million learners, 3,317 institutions, and over 104,000 educators, Gauteng’s education system is showing strong results, an 88.41% matric pass rate, 50.27% bachelor passes, and all districts maintaining pass rates above 80%.

“We are not just funding education; we are investing in transformation. We are not just building schools; we are building dreams. We are not just teaching subjects; we are developing citizens who will lead our province and nation into a prosperous future,” Chiloane said.

IOL News

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