Limited budgets keep no-fee schools in the dark
Three no-fee-paying schools in Nigel have had their electricity cut off by the City of Ekurhuleni since March due to non-payment.
The Gauteng Department of Education says the schools are responsible for their own bills, but the schools say they do not receive enough government funding.
Alra Park Primary owes the city R162 600, Alra Park Secondary owes R136 200, and Happiness Primary owes R624 830.
The schools are unable to use lights or computers, access wifi, print study materials and test papers, or use cleaning equipment.
City of Ekhurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said electricity will be restored once the bills are paid and that the Education Department was responsible for paying the bills.
But Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana told GroundUp that since April 2025, schools were instructed to use their allocated budget and funds they raise to pay their bills.
He said the schools receive rental income from cellphone towers on their premises, which could be used.
The schools’ governing bodies said their budget allocations did not cover their electricity needs. Equal Education’s spatial justice researcher Kimberley Khumalo said the department has ‘shifted its legal and financial obligation onto the shoulders of no-fee-paying schools. Expecting them to pay (huge municipal debts) from their meagre allocations does not make sense'.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
