By Levy Masiteng
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has said that schools will start receiving delayed subsidy payments from the beginning of June, after missing the May deadline for the first tranche of funding.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the department said it acknowledged the delay in releasing the subsidies to schools across the province, adding that the funds were expected to have been deposited into school accounts by 15 May.
“Firstly, we would like to express our apologies to all schools and stakeholders of Gauteng for the delays in the release of funds schools are entitled to as per paragraph 12A of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF),”Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Lebogang Maile said.
The subsidies are meant to cover critical operational costs at schools, including learning and teaching support materials, municipal services, maintenance, and administrative expenses.
“We recognise that the funds are also key in the promotion of proper school governance, financial management, and improved educational outcomes while addressing historical injustices of our society and improving conditions in previously underfunded public schools,” Maile added.
Under paragraph 121A of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding, provincial education departments must make transfer payments to public schools on or before 15 May and 15 November each year.
The department said schools had already received final allocation letters indicating how much funding they would receive during the current financial year.
“We want to assure the public and all stakeholders that the funds are there and schools will start accessing them from the start of June,” Maile said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
