KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Receives Positive Audit from Auditor-General

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education received an unequivocal audit opinion from the Auditor-General for the 2025/26 financial year. The Minister of Education (MEC), Sifo Khlumuka, stated that this result reflects improvements in governance, financial administration, and internal controls.

Khlumuka received the audit report from the Office of the Auditor-General, which showed that the department has made progress in strengthening compliance with norms, oversight processes, and the management of public resources.

This positive outcome comes against a backdrop where the department was under scrutiny due to financial difficulties, including concerns about its ability to pay allocations according to norms and standards to schools.

Previously, the head of the department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, informed the Portfolio Committee on Education that he had been summoned by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) regarding complaints against the department. These complaints related to delays in paying funds according to norms and standards owed to schools, as well as issues with student transportation and textbooks.

Norms and standards funds are allocated to public schools to cover operational expenses such as stationery, learning materials, electricity, water, minor repairs, and cleaning supplies. Funding delays put pressure on some schools, forcing directors to cover operational costs themselves, while others struggled to pay municipal services.

The department had also warned that financial constraints could affect student transportation services for thousands of learners.

Despite these challenges, Khlumuka noted that the audit results demonstrated progress in strengthening the department's financial management systems. He emphasized that this success is the result of continuous efforts by staff at all levels to strengthen internal control, improve compliance, and uphold good governance principles.

The department recorded improvements in several areas, including adherence to financial reporting requirements, strengthening management and oversight processes, improving asset management, more effective use of earmarked grants, and more efficient fund disbursement.

Khlumuka assured that the department remains committed to ensuring accountability and responsible use of public resources. He stated that public funds entrusted to the department must be spent efficiently, transparently, and in a way that maximizes service delivery to our learners, educators, and communities across KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister of Education noted that the department recognizes that improving financial and management governance is an ongoing process, and that the Auditor-General's recommendations will be implemented. He added that they will maintain strict oversight, address remaining areas for improvement, and ensure that every rand allocated to education makes a tangible difference in the classroom.

Khlumuka also expressed gratitude to the head of the department, senior management, and staff for their contribution to achieving the audit results, noting that their efforts have strengthened the department's commitment to providing quality education while maintaining financial discipline.