Gauteng Education Department
The Gauteng Department of Education has come clean about recent hiccups in paying food suppliers for the school nutrition programme. At the same time, they are stepping up efforts to shut down dodgy schools that put kids at risk.
This comes as thousands of learners across the province rely on these meals and safe classrooms to thrive, especially in tough times when money is tight for many homes. With over 1.2 million children getting daily food through the scheme, any delay hits hard, leaving suppliers in a bind and sparking calls for quicker fixes. As spring sets in and exams loom, parents and teachers hope these steps will keep young minds focused and fed.
The department’s update shines a light on broader challenges in Gauteng’s schools, from feeding hungry tummies to ensuring every child learns in a proper spot. Recent clashes with groups pushing against foreign kids in class have added tension, but officials stand firm on inclusive learning. This article dives into the payment woes for the nutrition drive, why it matters for poor families, the crackdown on fake schools, real-life impacts on kids, community reactions, and what’s next to make things right.
Payment Delays Hit School Nutrition Hard Amid Growing Needs
The Gauteng Department of Education has owned up to slow payments to firms supplying food for the National School Nutrition Programme, blaming a surge in schools joining the scheme. This key effort, run by the national education team, gives free meals to over nine million kids countrywide each school day, helping them stay sharp in class. In Gauteng, it now covers Quintile 1 to 5 schools—up from just the poorest ones—meaning more mouths to feed and bigger bills.
The trouble started when the province added Quintile 4 and 5 spots earlier this year, a good move to help more families but one that stretched the budget thin. “The rapid growth in the number of learners requiring nutrition support in Quintile 4 and 5 schools has placed significant pressure on provincial funding of the GDE Extended NSNP,” the department explained. This boost came from rising costs and tough times hitting homes, with many kids now depending on school grub as their main meal.
Suppliers have felt the pinch, with some waiting weeks for cash owed, leading to worries about keeping deliveries going. The department says they’re hustling to clear the backlog, working hand-in-hand with affected firms. “The Department remains committed to clearing all outstanding payments and ensuring that service providers are supported to continue with their vital work,” they added. In recent weeks, talks with suppliers have sped things up, but some small outfits say the waits have hurt their cash flow, forcing them to dip into savings or cut back.
This isn’t new—back in May, similar delays cropped up in KwaZulu-Natal, where a new payment system caused snags, but they got sorted after public outcry. In Gauteng, the push to include more schools stems from hard times: over the last few years, job losses and price hikes have left more families scraping by, with kids in better-off areas now qualifying for help. Without these meals, many would go hungry, hurting their focus and health.
Why the Nutrition Boost Matters for Gauteng’s Kids
The programme’s growth is a lifeline for vulnerable families, especially in townships and informal spots where food costs bite deep. By adding Quintile 4 and 5 schools, over 200,000 more learners get balanced eats like porridge, fruit, and lunch packs each day. This helps fight stunting and keeps kids in school, as empty bellies often lead to dropouts.
But the quick rollout caught funding off guard, with the department juggling rising needs against tight provincial purses. “Over the past years, Gauteng has experienced significant socio-economic changes and this has resulted in growing numbers of vulnerable children in no-fee-paying schools,” officials noted. Delays stem from checking claims and handling the jump in schools, but they’ve vowed to prioritise daily meals while sorting the admin.
Parents have shared tough stories: one mom from Soweto said her child relies on school food to stay alert, and any gap means skipping lessons. Suppliers, often small local businesses, employ hundreds and source from nearby farms, so delays ripple out to jobs and communities. The department is reviewing the setup to match funding better, including talks with national bosses for extra cash.
Cracking Down on Illegal Schools: Safety First for Learners
Hand in hand with the nutrition fixes, the department is going hard on unregistered schools that flout rules and endanger kids. These spots, often in backyards or unsafe buildings, lack proper teachers, fire safety, or clean water, putting young lives at risk. Over the last two years, officials have shut down several, like Boipuso School in Bloubosrand, Thakane School in Hope Fountain, and Gateway Academy in Centurion.
“The GDE has taken decisive legal steps against non-compliant school owners,” the statement said. Court wins have forced closures, with teams monitoring sites to stop reopenings. Parents get urged to check schools are legit before signing up, as fake ones can leave kids without real learning or records.
Recent pushes have seen over 1,200 learners moved from dodgy setups to proper ones in the last five years. “Over the past five financial years, approximately 1 200 learners have been successfully transitioned from illegally operating or non-accredited schools to compliant, registered schools,” officials shared. They offer extra learning support, counselling, and catch-up classes to help these kids settle.
But the fight isn’t easy—some illegal spots reopen under new names, and parents, desperate for nearby options, sometimes ignore warnings. The department warns of dangers: poor teaching leads to bad results, and unsafe buildings risk collapses or fires. They’ve set up hotlines for tips and work with cops to enforce the South African Schools Act of 1996, which mandates registration.
Community Clashes: Tensions Over Foreign Kids in Schools
Adding heat to the mix, recent actions by groups like Operation Dudula have targeted schools, demanding checks on foreign children’s papers. On 22 September 2025, they hit several Soweto spots, claiming undocumented kids take spots from locals. This sparked standoffs, with parents and teachers standing guard while officials condemned the moves as unlawful.
The department fired back: no child gets turned away based on nationality, as the Constitution guarantees education for all. But the group argues resources are stretched, with over 250,000 undocumented kids in Gauteng schools costing about R4.5 billion yearly. “We have a government problem,” one post noted, highlighting overcrowded classes and strained budgets.
MEC Matome Chiloane warned against disrupting learning, saying it hurts everyone. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube echoed this, stressing no victimising children and vowing legal action against threats. Equal Education slammed the campaign as xenophobic, urging protection for migrant kids who often flee tough homes.
These rows show deeper frustrations over jobs, services, and borders, but officials hold firm: schools stay open to all, with checks on papers but no bars based on origin. Parents get reminded to register properly, with affidavits no longer cutting it for proof.
Real Impacts: Kids and Families Feeling the Pinch
For learners, these issues mean real struggles. Delayed nutrition payments could lead to skipped meals, hurting growth and focus—studies show hungry kids score lower and miss more days. In illegal schools, thousands face lost time, with some repeating grades after moves.
One story: a group of 50 kids from a closed Centurion spot got placed in public classes, but needed extra help to catch up. Families say the shifts disrupt routines, but welcome safer spots. Suppliers hit by delays worry about layoffs, while parents push for faster pays to keep food flowing.
The department offers support like psycho-social help for moved kids and hotlines for complaints. They’ve logged over 600 tips on fake schools via numbers like 0800 000 789, showing community buy-in.
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