Earlier this year, the Commission undertook monitoring visits to more than 150 schools across the country to assess the readiness of schools to provide teaching and learning. Overall, the report reveals a concerning portrait of systemic inequities; chronic infrastructural neglect such as broken windows, crumbling walls, lack of fencing, lack of sanitation; late registrations; overcrowding; lack of school safety and security, scholar transport challenges, and uneven access to quality basic education. The Commission observed schools where basic physical conditions pose not only a barrier to learning, but an active risk to learner safety and dignity.

Schools in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo demonstrated commendable commitment by admitting undocumented learners, including migrant and refugee children, yet highlighted that these admissions often take place without corresponding financial and administrative support from the state.

Recommendations
In view of the findings, the Commission urges the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to institute immediate and structural interventions, including:

• Launching a comprehensive national infrastructure audit and intervention plan, and initiating an emergency review of boarding school conditions.
• Filling all critical educator and support staff vacancies.
• Formalising interdepartmental coordination mechanisms, particularly between Basic Education, Social Development, and Home Affairs, to address challenges affecting undocumented learners.
• Implementing a national accountability and monitoring framework, compelling both government departments and service providers to fulfil their obligations.

This national school readiness assessment confirms that South Africa continues to operate a deeply unequal basic education system, where the right to a basic education is heavily limited by geography, socio-economic status, and infrastructure.

The Commission has requested the Department of Basic Education and provincial departments. to submit, within 60 days of this report, a detailed response outlining short-term interventions and long-term plans to address the identified challenges.

The report can be accessed here.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission