South Africa is facing a looming education crisis due to severe budget constraints that could significantly affect the quality of basic education. Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has warned that the country may experience a shortfall of R79 billion to R118 billion over the next three years. This could lead to fewer teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and reduced resources, including textbooks and transport programs. The financial strain is so severe that several provinces may struggle to meet their education budgets by 2028.

The situation has been exacerbated by economic stagnation, fiscal mismanagement, and large bailouts of state-owned enterprises, which diverted resources from critical sectors like education. Additionally, unsustainable public wage increases have further drained government finances, leaving little room for essential investments in education.

Civil society groups and the Minister are calling for urgent intervention, including unlocking additional funds and prioritizing education spending to prevent a collapse in teaching quality. The challenges ahead are significant but not insurmountable if decisive action is taken.