Education groups seek answers after school capacity deadline expires

South African Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is facing criticism from Equal Education and the Equal Education Law Centre for missing a court-ordered deadline to address school overcrowding. On October 10, 2023, the Gauteng High Court ordered the department to publish school capacity regulations within three years; the deadline expired on October 9, 2026. The groups want Gwarube to explain the delay and provide a date for publishing the final norms. They say learners continue to face overcrowded classrooms, less individual attention from teachers and an ongoing admissions crisis.