Tonight, we turn our attention to a growing crisis that is unfolding inside classrooms across Gauteng — one that is quietly shaping the future of millions of children. Over the past three decades, learner numbers have surged from just over 1.4 million in 1995 to more than 2.8 million today, but the infrastructure meant to support them simply hasn’t kept up. The result? Severely overcrowded classrooms, with some teachers now facing as many as 70 to 85 learners at a time. Education authorities admit the system is under immense strain. Gauteng’s Education MEC, Lebogang
Maile, says the province urgently needs at least 200 new schools just to begin easing the pressure.
Meanwhile, thousands of learners remain unplaced, and concerns are mounting that the quality of
education is being fundamentally compromised. As Maile prepares to visit Bovet Primary School to
outline a way forward, the question remains — is the system already stretched beyond repair, and what does this mean for the constitutional right to education in South Africa?

Tonight, we turn our attention to a growing crisis that is unfolding inside classrooms across Gauteng &mdash; one that is quietly shaping the future of millions of children. Over the past three decades, learner numbers have surged from just over 1.4 million in 1995 to more than 2.8 million today, but the infrastructure meant to support them simply hasn&rsquo;t kept up. The result?&nbsp;Severely overcrowded classrooms, with some&nbsp;teachers now facing as many as 70 to 85 learners at a&nbsp;time.&nbsp;Education authorities admit the system is under&nbsp;immense strain. Gauteng&rsquo;s Education MEC, Lebogang Maile, says the province urgently needs at least 200&nbsp;new schools just to begin easing the pressure. Meanwhile, thousands of learners remain unplaced,&nbsp;and concerns are mounting that the quality of education is being fundamentally compromised.&nbsp;As Maile prepares to visit Bovet Primary School to outline a way forward, the question remains &mdash; is the&nbsp;system already stretched beyond repair, and what&nbsp;does this mean for the constitutional right to&nbsp;education in South Africa?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope