Undocumented learners left behind as repatriation efforts intensify

Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Lebogang Maile has revealed that the wave of illegal immigration marches has left many learners stranded and without parents as parents flee South Africa in numbers.

Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers

The recent wave of repatriation efforts aimed at illegal immigrants in South Africa has unveiled a troubling consequence: a growing number of undocumented learners now find themselves stranded without their parents, who have left the country amidst escalating tensions surrounding illegal immigration. This alarming reality was revealed by Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Lebogang Maile, during the department's budget vote in the provincial legislature on Tuesday.

Addressing the critical issue of children without guardians, Maile pledged to devise a plan to tackle the concerns surrounding undocumented learners. He stated, "I have already asked the national department of education for a list of all the undocumented children in our schools at the instruction of the courts that we must accept them. We are examining their ages and which schools they attend, and we want to assess the financial implications of supporting their education."

In addition to addressing the plight of undocumented learners, Maile touched on another pressing issue: corruption within schools, noting that reports from recent school visits reflect this persistent challenge. "The second issue is corruption in schools. We have received a report in this regard. This is coming up from the visits that we are having in the schools and communities," he added.

While the Gauteng Department of Education boasts a generous budget of R70.9 billion, exceeding that of the sports, arts, and culture sectors, which stands at just over R1.055bn, Maile insisted on the importance of safeguarding the province's rich cultural heritage.

Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Lebogang Maile, during the department's budget vote in the provincial legislature on Tuesday.

Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers

As part of strengthening the province's rich cultural heritage, Maile has committed his department towards unveiling eight new heritage sites with a sports, arts and culture budget made up of R719.4 million from the Provincial Equitable Share and R336.3m in Conditional Grants.

"Our heritage work remains central to preserving the identity and memory of our people. During this financial year, the department will declare eight heritage sites and implement twenty national symbols awareness programmes to deepen constitutional values, social cohesion and public consciousness, particularly among young people," he stated.

Maile further elaborated that libraries continue to play a strategic role in building a reading culture and bridging the digital divide. The department allocates R297.6m towards Library and Archival Services, including R194.8m transferred to municipalities to sustain and modernise community library services.

"We are investing R2m towards 160 computers for libraries and R5.1m towards reading programmes aimed at strengthening literacy across Gauteng communities," he added.

When it comes to infrastructure backlogs and other challenges facing the education system, Maile indicated that challenges arise from rapid in-migration, urbanisation, overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs, and growing learner demand, particularly in township, informal settlement, and inner-city schools.

"These pressures require us to think differently about education delivery, infrastructure planning, and long-term sustainability. To respond to these challenges, we are increasing the department’s budget from R68bn in 2025/26 to R70.9bn in 2026/27, representing an increase of R2.9bn, or 4.3%. This increase allows us to strengthen key interventions while maintaining our focus on quality, access, and equity."