Learner numbers double to 2.8 million in three decades

The Gauteng Education Department is battling overcrowding in schools, as statistics show the number of pupils in the province has doubled over the past three decades.

In 1995, just over 1.4 million learners were registered in public schools in the province, rising to 2.8 million this year.

The provincial government has raised concerns about the rapid growth in learner numbers in the basic education system, as class sizes continue to increase.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Education MEC Lebogang Maile admitted that this is a major cause for concern

"This represents growth of over double the numbers 30 years ago. It is also the highest growth level across provinces in the country, with a continued rise averaging 2% per year, adding more than 50,000 learners annually to the system."

Maile explains what’s causing the rapid growth in learner enrolment.

"These challenges are exacerbated by the exponential growth in learner enrollment arising from migration and rapid urbanisation in the province."