Parents have expressed concern following revelations by Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, about widespread corruption, financial mismanagement and governance failures affecting public schools in Gauteng.
During a media briefing held on 28 June 2026, MEC Maile outlined findings from a comprehensive internal assessment into reported cases of corruption, procurement irregularities, financial misconduct, and governance failures in public schools between 2023 and June 2026. The assessment highlighted systemic governance challenges and outlined interventions to strengthen accountability and improve oversight in Gauteng schools.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the assessment drew on official departmental data from multiple directorates to identify recurring risks affecting governance, financial management, and service delivery in public schools.
The revelations have sparked concern among parents, many of whom fear that corruption and poor governance could negatively affect the quality of education their children receive.
A concerned parent from Atteridgeville, Ayanda Khumalo, said the allegations were deeply troubling and raised questions about the management of resources intended for learners.
“As parents, we trust that the money given to schools is used to improve education and create better opportunities for our children. Hearing about corruption and financial mismanagement is heartbreaking because it is the learners who suffer,” she said.
Another parent, Lusanda Nkosi from Laudium, said accountability was needed to restore public confidence in the education system.
“Schools should be safe spaces for learning and development. If officials or governing bodies are involved in corruption, they must be held accountable. Parents deserve transparency about how school funds are being managed,” he said
Aisha Kruger, a parent in Laudium, expressed concern about the long-term effects of governance failures on educational outcomes.
“We already face many challenges in public education. Corruption only makes things worse because resources that should help learners disappear. We need stronger oversight and regular communication with parents,” she said.
The Gauteng Department of Education said that the internal assessment was intended to find risks, strengthen governance structures and implement interventions to protect public resources. The department further showed that matters requiring criminal investigation would be referred to relevant law enforcement agencies and oversight bodies.
Education stakeholders and parents are now calling for swift action, transparency, and accountability to ensure that public funds are used appropriately and that learners are not disadvantaged by governance failures.
As investigations continue, many parents remain hopeful that the department’s efforts will lead to stronger oversight and improved governance across Gauteng’s public schools.