SADTU slams KZN education dept over delayed school funds

Desks in a classroom.

South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has criticised the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for failing to pay schools their basic financial allocation on time.

It also accuses the Department of Finance’s procurement policy imposed on the department for delaying learner support material orders ahead of the start of the school year.

Last year, the provincial Treasury intervened to curb overspending and the provincial department’s debt crisis.

Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Caluza says they called an urgent meeting with education officials to demand solutions before schools reopen.

“Orders were only given the green light by the Department of Finance only in October and under normal circumstances, from October, schools get deliveries from the department, especially those that depend on central procurement. That could not happen because throughout the year, the Department of Finance was not allowing the department to order on behalf of schools,” says Caluza.

DAY 1 | KZN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DISTRICT OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT MEETING – 2026 PLENARY

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education convened Day 1 of the District Operations Management Meeting, addressed by the Head of Department, Mr Nkosinathi Ngcobo, pic.twitter.com/2NqIErsQJe

— KZN Education (@DBE_KZN) January 8, 2026