Gauteng authorities shut down 32 illegal independent schools

The Gauteng Department of Education has intensified its crackdown on unregistered independent schools, serving closure letters to 32 institutions between January and September 2026. Following investigations into 61 suspected illegal schools, officials reported that seven institutions have already ceased operations, four have applied for formal registration, and two school directors were arrested.

Gauteng MEC for Education Lebogang Maile stated that investigations were prompted by reports from parents, community members, and other government bodies. To mitigate the impact on students, the department is working with parents in affected districts to relocate learners to legally operating schools, ensuring continued access to education.

The province’s independent school sector has grown from 961 registered schools in 2021 to 1,083 currently. Alongside these enforcement measures, the province plans to spend approximately R1.13-billion to subsidize qualifying independent schools while tightening oversight regarding registration, finances, and compliance.