KZN's 76 Special Schools at Risk of Closure Over Payment Failures by Education Dept, SA Weigh In

• The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is facing growing pressure over its alleged failure to pay schools
• It is reported that all 76 special schools in KwaZulu-Natal have been told to suspend their operations
• The education department's alleged failure to pay schools has affected every district in KwaZulu-Natal
• Briefly News spoke to a School Governing Body (SGB) member from one of the affected schools in KwaZulu-Natal

Schools in KwaZulu-Natal are facing a serious crisis. This comes after 76 special schools were allegedly told to suspend their operations or shut down completely over the education department's failure to pay them money to keep operating.

76 Schools told to shut down in KZN

According to the Witness, Parents, together with the South African National Association for Special School Education (SANASE), have threatened to march to the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s office with their children if the provincial Department of Education does not address the ongoing funding crisis.

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Democratic Alliance MPL, in the provincial legislature, Sakhile Mngadi, said the impact extends to every district in KwaZulu-Natal. Among the worst-affected special schools are Truro Prevocational School in Chatsworth, which has already shut down; Ningizimu Special School in Durban, which is struggling to meet basic needs; and Isikhwezi Special School in Richards Bay, which has been forced to close due to a severe financial crisis, unpaid teachers, and collapsing services.

MEC issues an apology

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, issued an apology for the delay in funding and indicated that the department was taking steps to release the outstanding payments. The department reportedly rescheduled the payment for Monday, 20 October 2025, with schools expected to receive their subsidies by October 23.

Hlomuka attributed the delay to technical challenges that affected processing times and noted the department’s acknowledgement of the essential role special schools play in supporting learners with disabilities and special needs.

Briefly News interviewed a School Governing Body (SGB) member from one of the KwaZulu-Natal schools impacted by the incident. He said:

"Pro Nobis is largely affected as it forms part of the reported closed schools. The school has been closed for almost two weeks now since the 13th of October. Some of parents and kids as far as from Mpumalanga had to return back on the day.

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The school can no longer pay the expensive electricity bill that amounts to plus or minus R100 000 a month. The school are no longer able to pay for external services such as insurances, Wi-Fi, security services, telephones. The school are also no longer able to buy basic things like toilet papers, stationeries to facilitate teaching and learning."

What did SANASE say?

SANASE deputy chairperson Khehla Khumalo said the situation had reached a breaking point, accusing the department of repeatedly failing to fulfil its commitments to the province’s most vulnerable learners.

He added that some pupils attend school for only one week each month due to a shortage of buses, many of which are in poor condition.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions regarding the closure of the 76 special schools.

@Lindanator_ said:

"The DA and IFP caucus runs KZN. The DA caucus runs the Basic Education ministry. May they please urgently respond?"

@MzansiF1 said:

"Hlomuka messed up and finished off this department, but to be fair, he didn’t start the problems — he’s just continuing from where others left off."

@Lungah___ said:

"Haibo!"

@sliemngosaid:

"The amount of stress this puts on children that have to stay at home while others go to school is sad, especially children in the autism spectrum. Imagine their whole routine is disturbed."

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Briefly News has reached out to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for comment, but the department has not responded yet.

3 More stories about the KZN Education Department

• Briefly News also reported that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has allegedly failed to pay thousands of companies.
• KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said that he was unaware that schools in KZN had severe financial problems.
• The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Health Department confirmed that seven children contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).

Source: Briefly News