Mpumalanga’s 2026/27 provincial budget allocates more than R30.6 billion to education, making it the largest share of government spending for the financial year.

Finance MEC Bonakele Majuba tabled the budget in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on Wednesday, 11 March, saying the investment aims to improve learning conditions and expand access to quality education.

The allocation accounts for 43.4% of the provincial budget, making it the single largest spending area for the provincial government.

According to Majuba, the funds will support teacher salaries, learner support materials, infrastructure development and programmes aimed at improving school environments.

Among the projects included in the budget is R105 million for the construction of new schools, including Khokhovela Primary School in Bushbuckridge.

Additionally, the government has set aside R150 million to rehabilitate schools damaged by recent heavy rains and will provide mobile classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in those schools. The funding also includes the construction of Khokhovela Primary School in Bushbuckridge amongst other schools damaged by recent heavy rains.

The Presidential Employment Stimulus programme will receive R27.9 million to support employment initiatives within the education sector.

The budget further includes R30 million over the medium term to develop school sports, including training educators as certified coaches and supporting learner participation in competitive sporting events.

Majuba said that investment in education is essential for building a skilled, competitive workforce.

“This budget supports our educators and ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed in a safe and enabling school environment,” he said.