WC Education faces criticism over infrastructure plans

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says it is ramping up infrastructure investment to address growing learner numbers, as enrolment across provincial schools continues to rise.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Speaking during a Standing Committee on Education meeting this week, WCED officials said enrolment in public schools grew by 19% from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual increase of 2.3%.

The department serves more than 1.3 million learners in 1887 schools.

According to the WCED, the increase in enrolment has been driven largely by migration from other provinces. Department officials said the growth placed pressure on school infrastructure and staffing resources.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on education, Leon van Wyk, said the department had maintained discipline in budget allocation despite rising costs.

“From 2022 to 2025, the WCED has kept employee compensation at a sustainable 71% to 72% of its budget - the lowest among major provinces,” said Van Wyk.

“This has allowed us to invest more in critical services like textbooks, learner transport, nutrition programmes, and infrastructure.”

Van Wyk contrasted this with other provinces, saying KwaZulu-Natal had spent over 83% of its education budget on salaries over four consecutive years, leaving less for other education needs.