Learners across Gauteng have missed a combined 8,925 school days so far this year because public schools were without electricity following disconnections, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed in a written reply to questions from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the provincial legislature.
What the department said
GDE MEC Lebogang Maile provided the figure in response to the DA's questions, listing a number of schools that were affected by power cuts during the 2025/2026 period. In its submission, the department pointed to the governance framework in the Schools Act, saying that school finances are managed by School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs), and that the department advises these bodies to prioritise essential services.
Maile said the department supports and oversees schools but indicated that assistance is focused on preventing avoidable service disruption, providing financial-management guidance and ensuring schools act within the law when contracting service providers.
DA raises concerns over impact on learning and safety
“When learners were denied access to quality education because lessons were disrupted, smartboards and computers could not be used, photocopiers and internet connectivity were affected, security systems were compromised and, in many cases, learners were forced to learn in unsafe and unsuitable conditions,” the DA said.
The DA told the provincial legislature that the department initially denied that electricity cuts were occurring and affecting learning, and that the new admission of lost school days therefore exposed a mismatch between the department's earlier assertions and what was happening on the ground.
Schools named as affected
Among the schools the department listed as suffering electricity disconnections in 2025/2026 are:
- Sizanani Secondary School
- Lakeside Estate Primary
- Letsemeng Primary
- Qedilizwe Secondary
- Jordan Secondary
- Mohaladitoe Secondary
- Esokwazi Secondary
- Beverly Hills Secondary
- Katleho-Impumelelo Secondary
- Pitseng Primary
- Fukama Primary
- Setjhaba Sohle
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total school days lost (2025/2026) | 8,925 |
| Responsible oversight | Gauteng Department of Education (MEC Lebogang Maile) |
How this plays out in classrooms
According to the DA's account, interruptions to power supply meant that smartboards and school computers could not be used, photocopiers and internet connectivity were unavailable, and security systems were compromised. Those problems translate into lost lesson time, reduced access to digital resources and greater safety risks for learners and staff.
School principals and governing bodies are legally responsible for managing school budgets and prioritising essential services. But when households and communities depend on schools for more than academic instruction — for safety, nutrition and routine — repeated service interruptions can have a ripple effect beyond missed lessons.
What the department says it does
The GDE told the legislature its interventions are aimed at preventing avoidable disruptions and improving financial controls at school level. The department also advised SGBs and SMTs on how to manage contracts with service providers.
However, the DA noted the department admitted it does not maintain a central register of outstanding debts owed by schools to service providers, nor of how long those debts have accrued — a detail that could hinder targeted support to schools in financial distress.
Local impact and what parents should know
For parents, repeated power cuts at schools mean devices and digital learning tools are of limited use and that administrative services, including communication with parents, may be affected. Guardians concerned about their school’s financial position and service continuity should raise these issues with their SGB and request transparency about budgets and outstanding service-provider accounts.
As the province prepares for the remainder of the school year, the confirmation of nearly 9,000 lost school days will intensify scrutiny of how the department supports schools to maintain uninterrupted basic services and safeguard learners’ right to education.
Reporting from Sedibeng and Johannesburg.
