The African Transformation Movement has raised concern over continued failures in the Eastern Cape Department of Education following the decision by the National Department of Basic Education to withhold the fourth transfer of the Education Infrastructure Grant. The amount withheld is R529.8 million. According to the party, this is linked to the province’s failure to comply with the requirements of the Division of Revenue Act of 2025.
The ATM on Monday said the decision exposes serious weaknesses in the leadership and management of the provincial education department. The party said the withholding of funds has highlighted the already poor condition of school infrastructure in the province. The party pointed to reports of more than one thousand classrooms being classified as unsafe. It said nearly forty per cent of schools do not have reliable access to electricity and running water.
The party said the province continues to struggle with some of the highest student-to-teacher ratios in the country. It said some classrooms accommodate more than fifty learners at a time. According to the ATM, this level of overcrowding affects the ability of learners to achieve good academic outcomes and creates difficult conditions for teachers.
The ATM said the National Department of Basic Education has indicated that the funds were withheld because the provincial department diverted resources to projects that were not authorised. The party said this reflects inefficiencies that have resulted in a lack of progress on basic infrastructure and other urgent needs in schools. It said the situation has left thousands of learners in conditions that hinder learning and raise the risk of increased dropout rates.
The party said the leadership of the Eastern Cape Department of Education has not acted in the interests of learners. It said the management of resources requires careful supervision and that the current situation reflects a failure to protect the quality of basic education. According to the ATM, this has resulted in a cycle of declining infrastructure and limited support for learners in poor communities.
The ATM has called for a full investigation into how funds were managed by the Eastern Cape education authorities. The party said officials responsible for decisions that contributed to the withholding of the grant should be identified. It said accountability would assist in restoring public confidence. The party said there must be immediate steps to produce a transparent plan for infrastructure that meets the requirements of the Education Infrastructure Grant.
The ATM said the National Department of Basic Education should move quickly to release the funds once it is satisfied that they will be used for urgent repairs and improvements. The party said delays in fixing buildings, water systems and electricity supply will worsen the difficulties faced by learners.
ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the situation shows the need for leadership that understands the importance of safe learning environments in the Eastern Cape. Ntshona said all sectors of society should work to ensure that learners are not denied access to proper facilities. According to Ntshona, the future of the province depends on a coordinated effort to restore confidence in the education system.
