EFF on School Infrastructure Development
By Karabo Marifi
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have sharply criticised the Department of Basic Education for its alleged failure to prioritise school infrastructure development, despite substantial budget allocations. Speaking after revelations during a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, the EFF declared their outrage over the government’s inability to construct or replace schools in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and North West during the 2023–2024 financial year.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are appalled, though not surprised, by the revelations made during a recent parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, where the Department of Basic Education admitted that no schools were built or replaced in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and North West during the 2023–24 financial year,” the EFF stated.
Underperformance and Budget Underspending
The EFF drew attention to the Eastern Cape’s failure to fully utilise its R1.8 billion school infrastructure budget, with only 70% of the allocation spent. Limpopo’s performance was even worse, having used only 41% of its R1.5 billion allocation. The EFF lambasted this underperformance as a calculated act of neglect.
“This underperformance is not a mere administrative failure—it is a calculated act of neglect that leaves children in overcrowded classrooms, without adequate facilities, and trapped in a cycle of poverty,” the EFF declared.
The party juxtaposed these statistics against the achievements of a decade ago, citing the construction of 32 schools in the Eastern Cape during the 2014–2015 financial year, alongside similar efforts in other provinces. The decline in infrastructure development, they claimed, is indicative of the ANC government’s regression and deepening incompetence.
Sanitation Crisis Persists in Schools
The EFF also highlighted the government’s persistent failure to eradicate pit latrines, with over 3,900 still in use across South African schools. Despite promises made under the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative launched in 2018, thousands of children continue to attend schools with unsafe and undignified sanitation facilities.
“This is not just incompetence; it is a crime against the children of this nation. The persistent presence of pit latrines is a clear indicator of the government’s disdain for the lives and dignity of black children, especially those in rural areas,” the EFF argued.
Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating during a parliamentary committee meeting on 19 November 2024 that eradicating pit toilets by the department’s March 2025 deadline remains a critical priority.
To date, the SAFE initiative has completed 3,145 out of 3,375 targeted sanitation projects, aided by contributions from corporate and social partners. However, an estimated 3,398 schools still rely on pit latrines, and nearly 11,000 schools lack a single flushing toilet.
Budget Mismanagement and Policy Changes
The EFF also criticised the department for its alleged misuse of funds. The party specifically took aim at the DA-led Department of Basic Education’s decision to spend R3.6 billion on printing matric exam papers using private service providers, compared to less than R1 billion spent the previous year when existing state infrastructure was used.
“This gross misuse of funds is a blatant act of corruption aimed at enriching their white business partners,” the EFF claimed.
In addition, recent changes in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) were scrutinised. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the merging of the Education Infrastructure Grant and the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant, a move that transfers administrative responsibility to provincial education departments. Equal Education researcher Kimberley Khumalo warned that this policy change could slow progress further, given provincial governments’ well-documented capacity issues.
Progress and Challenges Under the Asidi Programme
The Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi), launched in 2011, aimed to address critical infrastructure gaps. By 2024, all 331 schools built entirely of inappropriate materials under the programme had been replaced, and 1,336 water supply projects had been completed.
However, Asidi projects have faced challenges, including depopulation in rural areas, which has left some new schools operating at half their intended capacity. Director-General of Basic Education, Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, noted that many rural schools rely on unsafe rainwater harvesting systems shared with local communities due to the absence of bulk water supply infrastructure.
Advocacy and Civil Society Concerns
Civil society organisations, including SECTION27 and Equal Education, have consistently criticised the government for its failure to meet deadlines for infrastructure improvements. In April 2024, Equal Education called out the Limpopo Department of Education for missing legally binding deadlines to replace pit toilets.
“Every extension means learners continue to face unsafe and unconducive learning environments,” said Khumalo.
SECTION27 echoed these sentiments, citing ongoing infrastructure challenges in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape. The non-profit emphasised that accountability and transparency are essential to ensuring progress.
EFF’s Demand for Accountability
The EFF concluded its statement by reiterating its commitment to fighting for quality education.
“We refuse to accept a reality where our children are condemned to inferior learning conditions while billions are squandered or underspent. We demand immediate accountability from the Department of Basic Education and an end to the institutionalised neglect of our children,” the party said.
The EFF vowed to continue advocating for the eradication of pit latrines, the construction of adequate school facilities, and the provision of quality education for all South African children.
R1.8 Billion Unspent: EFF Slams Neglect of School Infrastructure Development
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have sharply criticised the Department of Basic Education for its alleged failure to prioritise school infrastructure development, despite substantial budget allocations. Speaking after revelations during a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, the EFF declared their outrage over the government’s inability to construct or replace schools in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and North West during the 2023–2024 financial year.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are appalled, though not surprised, by the revelations made during a recent parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, where the Department of Basic Education admitted that no schools were built or replaced in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and North West during the 2023–24 financial year,” the EFF stated.
Underperformance and Budget Underspending
The EFF drew attention to the Eastern Cape’s failure to fully utilise its R1.8 billion school infrastructure budget, with only 70% of the allocation spent. Limpopo’s performance was even worse, having used only 41% of its R1.5 billion allocation. The EFF lambasted this underperformance as a calculated act of neglect.
“This underperformance is not a mere administrative failure—it is a calculated act of neglect that leaves children in overcrowded classrooms, without adequate facilities, and trapped in a cycle of poverty,” the EFF declared.
The party juxtaposed these statistics against the achievements of a decade ago, citing the construction of 32 schools in the Eastern Cape during the 2014–2015 financial year, alongside similar efforts in other provinces. The decline in infrastructure development, they claimed, is indicative of the ANC government’s regression and deepening incompetence.
Sanitation Crisis Persists in Schools
The EFF also highlighted the government’s persistent failure to eradicate pit latrines, with over 3,900 still in use across South African schools. Despite promises made under the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative launched in 2018, thousands of children continue to attend schools with unsafe and undignified sanitation facilities.
“This is not just incompetence; it is a crime against the children of this nation. The persistent presence of pit latrines is a clear indicator of the government’s disdain for the lives and dignity of black children, especially those in rural areas,” the EFF argued.
Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating during a parliamentary committee meeting on 19 November 2024 that eradicating pit toilets by the department’s March 2025 deadline remains a critical priority.
To date, the SAFE initiative has completed 3,145 out of 3,375 targeted sanitation projects, aided by contributions from corporate and social partners. However, an estimated 3,398 schools still rely on pit latrines, and nearly 11,000 schools lack a single flushing toilet.
Budget Mismanagement and Policy Changes
The EFF also criticised the department for its alleged misuse of funds. The party specifically took aim at the DA-led Department of Basic Education’s decision to spend R3.6 billion on printing matric exam papers using private service providers, compared to less than R1 billion spent the previous year when existing state infrastructure was used.
“This gross misuse of funds is a blatant act of corruption aimed at enriching their white business partners,” the EFF claimed.
In addition, recent changes in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) were scrutinised. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the merging of the Education Infrastructure Grant and the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant, a move that transfers administrative responsibility to provincial education departments. Equal Education researcher Kimberley Khumalo warned that this policy change could slow progress further, given provincial governments’ well-documented capacity issues.
Progress and Challenges Under the Asidi Programme
The Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi), launched in 2011, aimed to address critical infrastructure gaps. By 2024, all 331 schools built entirely of inappropriate materials under the programme had been replaced, and 1,336 water supply projects had been completed.
However, Asidi projects have faced challenges, including depopulation in rural areas, which has left some new schools operating at half their intended capacity. Director-General of Basic Education, Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, noted that many rural schools rely on unsafe rainwater harvesting systems shared with local communities due to the absence of bulk water supply infrastructure.
Advocacy and Civil Society Concerns
Civil society organisations, including SECTION27 and Equal Education, have consistently criticised the government for its failure to meet deadlines for infrastructure improvements. In April 2024, Equal Education called out the Limpopo Department of Education for missing legally binding deadlines to replace pit toilets.
“Every extension means learners continue to face unsafe and unconducive learning environments,” said Khumalo.
SECTION27 echoed these sentiments, citing ongoing infrastructure challenges in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape. The non-profit emphasised that accountability and transparency are essential to ensuring progress.
EFF’s Demand for Accountability
The EFF concluded its statement by reiterating its commitment to fighting for quality education.
“We refuse to accept a reality where our children are condemned to inferior learning conditions while billions are squandered or underspent. We demand immediate accountability from the Department of Basic Education and an end to the institutionalised neglect of our children,” the party said.
The EFF vowed to continue advocating for the eradication of pit latrines, the construction of adequate school facilities, and the provision of quality education for all South African children.
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