MEC Dr Julia Maboya delivered the budget speech at the Dr Reginald Cingo Secondary School on Tuesday (5/5). She announced the department has projected budgets of R21bn for the 2027/28 financial year and R21.7bn for 2028/29.

The largest share of the 2026/27 allocation, R14.659bn, has been earmarked for public ordinary school education. This includes teacher salaries, school nutrition programmes, learner transport, and school funding.

“Education remains central to South Africa’s developmental agenda and must continue to serve as a tool of liberation, empowerment, and social transformation,” said Maboya. “The Free State does not compete with other provinces; we compete with ourselves in our ongoing pursuit of quality learning outcomes for every child.

“Through sustained investment in infrastructure, digital learning, and teacher development, we are building a capable education system that prepares learners for the demands of a changing world.

This budget is not only about numbers but also about restoring dignity, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that every learner has access to safe, quality education, she said.

Administration received R1.457bn, while R949.5 million was allocated to early childhood development. Infrastructure development received R1.087bn, and examinations and curriculum support were allocated R983.1 million. Independent schools will receive R135.6 million in subsidies.

“The budget tabled here does not provide residents with the assurance that this department will unlock opportunities through education for the majority of learners in the Free State,” said Free State DA education spokesperson Jafta Mokoena.

“Instead, it reflects a department struggling to meet its most basic obligations, with limited evidence of a credible plan to improve outcomes. This department is also unable to demonstrate its ability to practise sound financial management.

“This department is in distress, and it is unacceptable. Responsible financial management requires accurate budgeting, disciplined expenditure, and the honouring of commitments.”

More than 10,000 learners were unable to attend school on the first day of the second term due to the collapse of scholar transport services. This was the department’s failure to pay transport operators. “The consequence of this failure is not abstract. It is a child who misses school, a learner who falls behind.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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