The National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) has added its voice in the growing crisis engulfing the education sector in KwaZulu-Natal and said some schools may not be able to re-open on Wednesday when the 2026 academic year kicks off.

The union says that a survey conducted over a two-day period, completed by 150 schools across the province, indicates that a significant number of schools are not fully prepared for Day 1.

It said some school principals have reported heightened anxiety, citing critical challenges such as staff shortages, the non-delivery of Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM), and the non-payment of financial allocations dating back to 2025.

“Of particular concern is the situation of our most vulnerable special schools, many of which have indicated that they may not be in a position to open on Wednesday. Equally alarming is the report from several schools that they will be unable to provide school meals on the first day of the academic year. This has serious implications for learner wellbeing, attendance, and readiness to learn,” the union said.

It added that KwaZulu-Natal is the largest province, and while some unexpected operational glitches may occur, the magnitude and nature of the challenges currently being reported are deeply concerning.

According to the union, these challenges point either to an administration struggling to cope with the size and complexity of the department, or to ongoing financial constraints.

“While NAPTOSA acknowledges these realities, we firmly believe that effective and transparent communication with stakeholders and schools is indispensable. Schools and principals must be informed of the challenges facing the department and, critically, the plans in place to address them. Principals cannot be left in the dark when they are directly accountable to parents, educators, and the broader community.

“It is imperative that teaching and learning begin on the very first day of the school year.

Every day of lost teaching time has a negative impact on curriculum coverage, learner performance, and overall educational outcomes. Schools must be adequately resourced and supported to ensure that no instructional time is lost and that learners are productively engaged from Day 1.”

Late last week, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the province raised similar concerns.

The department is yet to comment on the matter.