MIDDELBURG – The Mpumalanga Department of Education is contemplating building two new schools in Middelburg to ease the pressure caused by a “lack of space” at schools.
Every year, scores of frustrated parents, especially black parents, gather at circuit offices seeking placement for their children at predominantly white schools.
The beginning of the 2025 academic year was no different in Middelburg. This was epitomised by protests staged at both Middelburg Hoërskool (MHS) and Hoër Tegniese Skool (HTS), located in the heart of Middelburg town.
Speaking to Highveld Chronicle, MEC Cathy Dlamini conceded that the current schools can hardly keep up with the pressure of admissions. “Steve Tshwete is one of the towns affected by overcrowding. The fact is that people move from rural areas to urban areas,” she said.
“We have not prepared ourselves enough to meet the town’s demand, but we are doing the best we can.”
Dlamini said her department has started considering the possibility of building two schools to accommodate the growing number of learners.
“We are looking forward to building two new schools, especially in town—a primary school and a high school—to ease the overcrowding,” she said.
“But it is a process. We will be working with our partners, especially the mines in the area, to assist in building the new schools.”
MEC Dlamini also mentioned that this issue is not exclusive to Middelburg but affects the entire province.
“The same goes for eMalahleni, Nelspruit, and White River. They are also struggling with overcrowding,” she said.
“We acknowledge that there are still many learners who have not been placed in Mpumalanga, but our admissions team is doing the best it can.”
The MEC further assured parents that “no child will stay at home” due to a lack of space in schools.
“However, I want to appeal to parents not to be selective when there is no space at their preferred school,” she stated.
“If we are saying the school is full, the school is full. They must consider an alternative school so that all learners can be accommodated.”
