EC schools challenge government over years of underfunding
Three Makhanda schools have taken the Eastern Cape education department to court for consistently funding pupils below the national target.
Eastern Cape schools are challenging the provincial government over years of underfunding in a court case that will be heard today. The Makhanda Circle of Unity, along with three public schools in Makhanda, are taking legal action against the Eastern Cape education department, as well as the minister of education and the National Treasury.
The Legal Resources Centre (LRC), which represents the schools, alleges that the government has consistently funded Eastern Cape schools below the per-pupil target since 2020. In the 2021-22 financial year, for example, the per-pupil target was R1,466, but the Eastern Cape schools only received R816 per pupil. The LRC points out that the province deviated from the per-pupil funding targets without developing joint plans or consulting the affected schools.
Kathija Yassim, a professor at North-West University, emphasizes that the case is about educational justice and the constitutional promise of equitable quality education. She argues that schools serving vulnerable students receiving significantly fewer resources face consequences beyond financial, affecting teaching, learning, dignity, and educational opportunity.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union also supports the schools, expressing concern over the continued underfunding and calling for a broader national conversation about the education funding system's ability to deliver equity. The provincial education spokesperson acknowledges the court case but declines to comment extensively due to the ongoing proceedings.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
