The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education says subsidies will be paid to all special needs schools in the province next week.
This comes after some of the schools were forced to remain closed after the school holidays due to a funding crisis. The department said on Thursday that the delay in payments was due to technical issues.
Committee member Sakhile Mngadi stated that the DA is deeply concerned about the impending closure and financial collapse of several special needs schools due to the provincial Department of Education’s (DoE) ongoing failure to pay subsidies on time. The department is facing severe financial challenges and Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube called an urgent meeting in late September with the provincial government.
The department then received an R800 million bailout from the provincial treasury to allow it to procure learning materials for the 2026 academic year.
Mngadi said: “Truro Prevocational School in Chatsworth has officially closed due to insolvency, while Pro Nobis School for Learners with Special Needs in Dundee—which serves over 300 children from across northern KZN—is on the brink of closure after months of delayed payments. These funding delays have left schools unable to pay staff or cover essentials such as electricity, security, and insurance.
“Despite repeated appeals by school governing bodies and associations, the Department has failed to act. This is not an administrative oversight; it is a violation of the rights and dignity of KZN’s most vulnerable learners.”
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KZN said it was deeply disappointed to learn that special schools in the province had been excluded from the payment arrangement that resulted from engagements between SADTU, the Education MEC and the Premier in June 2025.
SADTU said there was no reason for special schools to be excluded from the allocation of funds that was done for ordinary schools.
“By their very nature, special schools require special attention and additional support. However, the department continues to treat them as an afterthought—an isolated group that can be neglected at will.
“This disregard for the unique needs of special schools is unacceptable. The Head of Department (HOD) must urgently demonstrate leadership and take full responsibility for this administrative failure.”
In response to questions, the KZN Department of Education said it sincerely regrets the delay in the payment of subsidies to special schools.
“The Department acknowledges the vital role that special schools play in providing quality education and essential support to learners with special needs. The delay was due to unforeseen technical issues that affected the processing timeline.
“While the payment run was originally scheduled for today, it has been rescheduled to Monday, 20 October 2025. Affected schools are expected to receive their subsidies by Thursday, 23 October 2025. The department remains firmly committed to supporting learners with special needs and ensuring that they continue to receive the education, care, and resources they deserve.”
THE MERCURY
