Maile rules out school security guards, prioritises resources

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile addressing the media on the state of education in the province

Newly appointed Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says his department will not deploy security guards at schools due to budget constraints.

Speaking at Bryanston High School, north of Johannesburg, he says the available funds will instead be prioritised for teachers, infrastructure, and learner support.

His comments follow a fire that destroyed several classrooms, a library and a science lab, at Riverlea Secondary, earlier this week. The incident raised concerns about vandalism and school safety.

This introductory session discusses key priorities within the Gauteng basic education sector, including curriculum delivery, school admissions, infrastructure development, financial management, and broader operational plans to strengthen the system and improve learner outcomes.… pic.twitter.com/ka2QvPdhus

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 10, 2026

Maile says his department will engage with the Community Safety department to increase the presence of peace officers.

“There has to be physical presence of these peace officers, and I know some people want me to hire security companies in schools. No, we’re not going to do that. The money we have must go into school; getting teachers, fixing classrooms, providing food, transporting learners, and equipping them for sports,” says Maile.

VIDEO | Update on the state of education in Gauteng

Infrastructure shortages

Maile says Gauteng Education needs R35 billion to address its chronic school infrastructure shortages. He unveils the department’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan aimed at addressing the department’s challenges.

The province needs just over a thousand educators to meet its growth requirements, at an estimated cost of over R600 million. Furthermore, over 70 000 learners need to be absorbed into government’s Early Childhood Development Centres from private and community-based centres.
This will cost over a billion rand.

He adds that with overcrowding and ailing infrastructure at numerous schools, the province will also require over R35 billion to build new schools.