Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, with both provinces having zero schools in very poor condition.
More than 50% of public schools declared to be in “very poor” condition are in the Eastern Cape.
This was revealed during the Department of Basic Education’s presentation on Tuesday to parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education.
The department’s latest assessment highlights severe infrastructure issues across provinces, with the Eastern Cape leading in schools classified as being in critical disrepair.
According to the presentation, 220 of the 390 schools in poor condition nationwide are located in the Eastern Cape.
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Condition data by province
The breakdown of schools in very poor condition is as follows:
- Eastern Cape: 220 out of 5 022
- Free State: 9 out of 937
- Northern Cape: 5 out of 546
- Limpopo: 46 out of 3 622
- Mpumalanga: 59 out of 1 632
- KwaZulu-Natal: 10 out of 5 790
- North West: 41 out of 1 445
Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, with both provinces having zero schools in very poor condition.
Nationally, 2,682 out of 22,529 public schools — only 12% — are classified as being in ‘excellent’ condition.
KwaZulu-Natal has the highest proportion of schools rated in excellent condition, at 35%.
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National outlook paints grim picture
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube acknowledged progress in school infrastructure, but emphasised that “infrastructure is not a destination”.
The minister stressed that in addition to historical backlogs, the sector must continuously respond to modern-day pressures, including overcrowding, migration, and the need for school maintenance.
“Infrastructure is not just about bricks and mortar. It reflects how much we value education as a nation. Quality learning cannot happen in environments that are unsafe or lack dignity,” said the minister in parliament on Tuesday.
Despite progress, the department revealed that 8% of schools remain in poor condition, and 2% in very poor condition.
“This 2% may sound small, but it is still too many schools, and too many children being taught in unsafe conditions,” the minister warned.
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