SHARE
EZEKIEL PHALANA
ADDITIONAL INFO BY GDE
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has provided a comprehensive update on the state of independent schools in the province, highlighting the sector’s continued growth, contribution to education, academic performance and the importance of effective regulation and accountability.
The department’s statement comes amid ongoing public debate about the role of independent schools in South Africa’s education system, including whether government should subsidise institutions that are privately owned and managed.
According to the GDE, independent schools are constitutionally recognised institutions that operate alongside public schools and form an important part of Gauteng’s broader education landscape. While public schools remain the main vehicle through which government provides basic education, independent schools offer additional schooling options to families and communities across the province.
Independent schooling sector continues to expand
The department reported that Gauteng currently has 1,083 operational independent schools, up from 961 in 2021. This represents an increase of 122 schools over five years, reflecting the growing presence of independent education in the province.
These institutions educate 379,727 learners and employ 24,974 educators. Of the schools registered across Gauteng, 279 receive government subsidies, while 804 operate without such subsidies and rely primarily on school fees and other private sources of income.
Johannesburg has the largest concentration of independent schools, with 557 institutions serving 197,687 learners. Ekurhuleni follows with 233 schools and 78,427 learners, while Tshwane has 199 schools serving 67,169 learners. Sedibeng and the West Rand account for 59 and 35 schools respectively.
The department also noted that Gauteng has 36 independent schools catering for learners with special education needs. However, only six of these schools receive government subsidies, while six education districts currently have no independent school serving learners with special education needs.
Government subsidies and financial accountability
The GDE explained that government subsidies are provided to qualifying independent schools in accordance with the constitutional and legislative framework governing education. Subsidised schools remain independently owned and managed, with government support directed towards the education they provide.
Between the 2022/23 and 2025/26 financial years, the department allocated approximately R4.3 billion in transfers and subsidies to qualifying independent schools. The allocation for 2026/27 is approximately R1.13 billion, with about R621 million directed towards the primary phase and R508 million towards the secondary phase.
The department projected a similar overall allocation of approximately R1.13 billion for each of the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years.
The GDE stressed that public funding carries an obligation to ensure sound financial governance. Its monitoring processes include the assessment of financial planning, budgets, annual financial statements, payroll, assets and internal financial controls.
During Term 1 of 2026, the department monitored 80 subsidised independent schools. By the end of the term, 274 of the province’s 279 subsidised schools had submitted annual financial statements. The department further reported that 77 of the 80 schools monitored—equivalent to 96.25%—were performing above the provincial public-school average used in that monitoring exercise.
Strong academic performance recorded
Independent schools in Gauteng recorded notable results in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
Of the 12,291 learners from independent schools included in the department’s analysis, 11,651 passed, resulting in an overall pass rate of 94.82%. A total of 7,869 learners achieved Bachelor passes, representing 65.78% of candidates who wrote the examinations, while a further 2,358 obtained Diploma passes.
At school level, 127 independent schools achieved a 100% pass rate, while another 49 recorded results between 95% and 99%. In total, 176 schools—or 69% of those included in the analysis—achieved pass rates of at least 95%.
The department also reported encouraging subject results, including pass rates of 93.8% in Business Studies, 91% in Life Sciences, 88% in Accounting, 83.6% in Physical Sciences and 74.8% in Mathematics.
While recognising these achievements, the GDE cautioned that private ownership or high school fees do not automatically guarantee better educational outcomes. Effective leadership, committed educators, discipline and a strong culture of teaching and learning remain critical factors in learner success.
Registration and learner protection remain priorities
The department identified the registration of independent schools, school-fee disputes, admissions, discipline and curriculum matters as some of the key concerns raised by parents and learners.
Between 2024 and 6 August 2026, the GDE received 3,688 cases relating to independent schools. These included 550 registration matters, 518 cases concerning outstanding fees linked to suspension or expulsion, and 422 cases involving fee disputes and the withholding of transfer certificates or learner reports.
The department reminded parents that independent schools must be properly registered and that registration with the GDE is distinct from accreditation by Umalusi. Parents are encouraged to verify a school’s registration, EMIS number, physical address, curriculum and examination arrangements before enrolling their children.
The GDE further emphasised that independent schools may not suspend or expel learners during an academic year, or withhold progress reports, because of a parent’s non-compliance with contractual obligations relating to school fees.
Action against illegally operating schools
The department confirmed that it continues to investigate institutions suspected of operating without the required registration.
In 2025, officials visited 57 illegally operating schools and served 31 with letters. Between January and September 2026, 61 schools were visited and 32 were served with closure letters. Of the schools dealt with in 2026, seven had ceased operating, four subsequently applied for registration, and two school directors were arrested.
The GDE stressed that the closure of an illegal school must not result in learners losing access to education. District officials are therefore expected to work with parents to facilitate the placement of affected learners in lawful schools.
Home education and learner documentation
The department also provided an update on home education, which it described as a lawful part of Gauteng’s education landscape. In 2026, the GDE received 2,681 new home-education applications, of which 1,892 had been approved and 174 had been verified and were awaiting approval at the time of the briefing.
Between 2022 and 2026, a total of 6,930 learners were registered for home education in the province.
The department cautioned that home education must not be confused with unregistered schools or institutions operating as tutor centres or online schools. Parents may legally educate their children at home, but institutions enrolling groups of learners and operating as schools must comply with the relevant registration requirements.
The GDE further reported that 45,789 learners in migration-related citizenship categories were enrolled at independent schools in Gauteng. Of these, 30,653 had verified documentation recorded on the Education Management Information System, while 15,136 did not have valid documentation reflected on the system.
The department noted that 17,714 learners in this group were born in South Africa to parents who hold foreign citizenship. It emphasised that documentation challenges should be addressed early to avoid difficulties with learner tracking, planning and National Senior Certificate certification.
A shared commitment to quality education
Concluding its statement, the Gauteng Department of Education reaffirmed that public and independent schools should not be viewed as opposing sectors. Both play a role in educating learners, although public schools remain the backbone of the provincial education system.
The department maintained that the quality of a school should be measured by the safety of its learners, the quality of teaching, effective leadership, sound governance, discipline and the support provided to children—not simply by whether the institution is public or independent.
As Gauteng continues to manage a growing and diverse learner population, the GDE said it would remain committed to supporting a lawful, accountable and functioning independent-school sector while strengthening oversight and protecting the interests of learners, parents and the public.