Education
With reference to the Schools Infrastructure Backlog Grant (SIBG) which will end in the 2025/26 financial year:
(1) (a) How much funding was allocated to the province through the SIBG in (i) 2022/23, (ii) 2023/24, (iii) 2024/25 and (iv) 2025/26, (b) what infrastructure projects were delivered, (c) how many classrooms were built in the province using SIBG funding in (i) 2022/23, (ii) 2023/24, and (iii) 2024/25 and (iv) will still be built in 2025/26; (d) based on current cost estimates and projected funding levels, how many new schools can realistically be built using the SIGB grant, (e) what is the current estimated value of the infrastructure backlog across public schools in the province, (f) what contingency plans has his Department put in place to address infrastructure backlogs in the event that the SIGB is reduced or discontinued by National Treasury?
My department has informed me of the following:
(1) (a) The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has not received the School Infrastructure Backlogs Grant (SIBG) in the years listed. The grant previously funded the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASISI). This was last received in 2015/16.
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
(e) An in-depth analysis of school infrastructure backlogs was presented to the Standing Committee on Education on 17 June 2025.
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(f) Despite the fact that the WCED does not receive the SIBG [see 1(a) above], we aim to build 55 new and replacement schools in our province in the next five years. We are tackling the need for additional school places by building new schools through our Rapid School Build programme, which has received additional funding from the National Treasury.
Unfortunately, even with the additional funding we have received from National Treasury, it will not be able to cover the needs of our province in terms of new schools, classrooms, and replacement schools, as well as maintenance and repairs following natural disasters.
So we are exploring various ways to meet this need given the financial constraints we are under, including public-private partnerships and mobilising additional funding. Edu Invest, our partnership with Wesgro, is also drawing private sector investment into our education system, with a variety of new independent schools in the pipeline.
Despite the challenges we face, we will continue to do everything we can to expand access to education in the Western Cape.
