RIVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL FIRE INCIDENT, AND SCHOOLS OF SPECIALISATION FUNDING @KASIBC_NEWS

RIVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL FIRE INCIDENT, AND SCHOOLS OF SPECIALISATION FUNDING @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to address a series of matters concerning Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, the fire incident at Riverlea High School, and recent concerns related to the resourcing and sustainability of Schools of Specialisation (SoS) across the province. 

The Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure the delivery of quality education and safe learning environments throughout Gauteng. Unity Secondary School, Daveyton 

The Department wishes to acknowledge concerning allegations that teaching posts were being sold at the Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni. This follows a complaint that was received in November 2024 from an applicant who claimed to have been asked to deposit about R17 000 into the bank account of a certain teacher in exchange for a job at the said school. 

The implicated teacher denied any involvement, and with no further cooperation from the complainant, the matter was closed due to a lack of evidence. 

There were also concerns that parents were being forced to pay a R450 annual contribution to receive learner report cards. 

The Department received no formal complaints in this regard. Upon inquiry, it was confirmed that the contribution was a voluntary donation, agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with allowances for parents to contribute what they could afford. This practice is aligned with Section 37(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, which allows School Governing Bodies (SGB) to supplement state-provided resources. Furthermore, complaints about the SGB’s access to financial records were taken seriously. 

The Department thus conducted financial management and governance training on 1 April 2025, followed by a capacitation workshop by the National Department of Basic Education on 12 April 2025. After these interventions, all SGB members were granted access to the school’s financial statements, and communication structures were strengthened. 

In terms of academic performance and governance, the Department acknowledges the drop in the school’s matric pass rate from 98% in 2020 to 86% in 2024. Interventions have been implemented, including the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), teacher training in key subjects, curriculum support from subject advisors, and continued development through the Provincial Just-in-Time (JIT) training programme. Learners are also supported through Saturday and holiday programmes under the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP), including residential camps for learners to enhance performance. Staffing concerns have also been addressed. 

The school currently has two vacant Departmental Head (DH)posts and one vacant Deputy Principal post. The DH posts were advertised in Vacancy Circular 2 of 2025, with an anticipated start date of 1 August 2025. The Deputy Principal post will be advertised mid-year. The Department has also verified the qualifications of the school principal, found them to be valid, and confirms that no disciplinary action was necessary. Regarding allegations of death threats against staff members, the Department temporarily accommodated affected staff at the District Office from late 2024. 

However, due to a lack of supporting evidence, the educators were instructed to return to school in 2025. Riverlea High School Fire Incident The GDE confirms that Riverlea High School experienced significant infrastructure damage due to a fire that broke out at the school on 27 April 2025. 

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic unit. Supply Chain Management processes are still underway to reconstruct the school. However, to ensure minimal disruption to teaching and learning, four mobile classrooms were delivered to the school on 2 May 2025. Repairs are planned for completion during the 2025/26 financial year, with an estimated cost of around R2.5 million. As no repairs have begun, there are no expenditures to report at this time. 

The Department has implemented fire safety measures at the school. Fire blankets were delivered on 13 May 2025, and learners and staff have received basic firefighting training. 

The school has been equipped with first aid kits, and monthly checks ensure the availability of medical supplies. The school currently has limited fire safety infrastructure, with no fire alarm system due to financial constraints. The last fire safety inspection was not recorded prior to the incident, but plans are in place to collaborate with the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services in the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year for awareness and preparedness training for the School Safety Committee. Firefighting equipment was last serviced in May 2024 and is scheduled for its next service at the end of May 2025. 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBC_AUDIO 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-xJgBXlEWvD_QdYKLFc45mb_OC6gAzO/view?usp=drivesdk

Maintenance remains a priority item at the school. Funding for Schools of Specialisation The GDE reduced funding to Schools of Specialisation (SoS), Due to broader budget constraints across sector. Despite this, the available budget will continue to support specialised subjects and prioritised needs in alignment with the business plans of these schools. As more schools are designated as SoS, resources must be spread more widely. In accordance with Section 36(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, SGBs are encouraged to supplement state funding to enhance educational quality. 

It is important to note that the Department continues to pay salaries for all state-employed educators and supports infrastructure costs, excluding minor maintenance at all SoS. Equipment purchases are to be made using allocated funds or sponsorships. In cases where SGBs employ additional educators for specialisation subjects, funds from the school’s allocation or private fundraising efforts are used. The Department does not maintain direct records of external sponsorships or donor funding for SoS, as public schools are juristic persons in terms of Section 15 of the South African Schools Act. 

This legal status grants schools the autonomy to enter into contracts, raise funds, and manage their own budgets under the governance of their SGBs. As such, while all Schools of Specialisation are expected to secure external sponsorships, the specifics of funding partners, amounts, or shortfalls fall within the remit of individual schools and their SGBs. Importantly, the Department affirms that there are no funding shortfalls for SoS, as all budgets and business plans are aligned. Any additional needs are to be addressed through the schools’ own fundraising initiatives. 

The Gauteng Department of Education remains resolute in its mission to provide quality, inclusive, and responsive education to all learners in the province. 

These issues are being attended to with the necessary diligence, and the Department continues to work collaboratively with school communities, School Governing Bodies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability and improved outcomes across the system.