The Western Cape Education Department has welcomed an additional provisional allocation of R2.549 billion to the Rapid School Build programme following an application for funding through the National Budget Facility for Infrastructure.
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This provisional allocation over three fiscal years represents a significant vote of confidence by National Treasury in the Rapid School Build programme.
This year, students are already enrolled in brand new schools and classrooms in Belhar, Kwanokuthula, and Fisherhaven as a result of the programme, which is constructing new schools faster than ever before in poor communities with the highest demand for placement.
The provisional funding is specifically allocated to the construction of new schools that will increase the number of school places available in our province, particularly in areas with larger class sizes and high demand for placement.
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In July 2023, WCED submitted a rigorous application for funding, competing with other departments and projects from across the country. The National Treasury has provisionally approved an allocation of R251 million in 2024/25, R1.048 billion in 2025/26, and R1.25 billion in 2026/27.
While this is not the full amount requested, the funding will go a long way towards providing certainty and stability to our infrastructure programme over the next three years.
The allocation is provisional and subject to further technical work by our department in the coming month. The department was able to demonstrate their ability to effectively spend infrastructure funding, which was a key factor in receiving the funds.
‘We thank our department officials, and the Provincial Treasury, for their excellent work that has resulted in our application’s success,’ said WCED minister David Maynier.
‘The additional infrastructure funding allocation will help to stabilise our plans for new schools over the medium term and expand access to quality education in the Western Cape.’
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