Cost-Saving Measures and Higher Subsidy for Quintile 5 Schools Propose

(Debate on Gauteng State of the Province Address)

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) indicated in the debate on the State of the Province Address (SOPA) by the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, that the party has research which could possibly bring about savings of up to R3 billion in the 2026/27 budget and fully or substantially restore the previous higher subsidy for quintile 5 schools.

The research was conducted in collaboration with a senior economist and will be submitted to the MEC for Finance, Lebogang Maile, and the Premier.

Both have already indicated that they would like to discuss it. In his reply to the Freedom Front Plus’s speech, the Premier invited the party to come and speak to him about the research.

The research is based on savings identified in the 2025/26 budget and projected onto the new 2026/27 budget. Savings in the Departments of Education, Health and Human Settlements will comprise most of the new fund from which quintile 5 schools, among others, can be properly subsidised.

The savings and their reorientation towards meaningful provincial expenditure will be known as the Fiscal Reorientation Fund (FRF).

Part of the research for the FRF also indicates that the reduction in the subsidy for quintile 5 schools will have severe detrimental effects should it remain in place. It indicates, among other things, that the middle class – and not the wealthy parents – will be hardest hit.

Statistics South Africa also indicates that school fees are one of the major factors driving inflation. The damage caused by the reduction in the quintile 5 school subsidy will be considerable and should, therefore, be avoided at all costs.

The Freedom Front Plus will do its utmost to establish the FRF in order to restore the quintile 5 school subsidy.

FF+ Manifesto on Constitutionalism: Upholding the constitution and the rule of law.

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