Gauteng schools face severe overcrowding with 70 pupils per teacher

Gauteng's public education system is experiencing severe overcrowding, with some classrooms accommodating up to 70 pupils per teacher. This issue was highlighted by the newly appointed MEC for Education, Lebogang Maile, during a briefing on the state of education and its 2025/2030 strategic plan. The Gauteng Department of Education GDE reports that enrolment has more than doubled since 1995, reaching over 2.8 million pupils in 2026, while infrastructure development has not kept pace. An estimated 723 schools in the province are affected, with a shortage of approximately 5,554 classrooms. The crisis is largely attributed to rapid in-migration, adding about 50,000 pupils annually, leading to tens of thousands of pupils lacking confirmed placement at the start of the year. Officials estimate that 200 new schools are needed to stabilize the system. Despite increased funding, budget constraints, a rising teacher wage bill, and a shortage of 1,173 teachers, particularly in mathematics, science, and technology, exacerbate the problem. Large class sizes contribute to teacher burnout, limit individual attention, and worsen poor literacy and numeracy outcomes. The department's strategic plan aims to address these challenges through infrastructure development, improved teacher support, and curriculum interventions, acknowledging that a collaborative effort is necessary.