MEC Martin Meyer advocates for zero property rates charges for schools to enhance education funding

The KwaZulu-Natal Public Works Department is on a mission to reform their financial policies, with the intention of directing some of the benefits to the province's schools.

Led by MEC Martin Meyer, the department is hoping to channel the spin offs towards improving facilities and fixtures at schools, therefore, they have proposed that municipal property rates charges for KZN schools be nil.

According to Meyer, the monies that would be saved if his department's proposal was approved would be used to maintain schools, like the revamping of laboratories, building upgrades and fencing.

With the success of the matric class of 2025 is still being celebrated, Meyer has rallied various stakeholders to consider zero rating of property rates, with the hope of keeping the recent matric results success momentum going in KZN.

During the event on Monday, at the Durban School for the Hearing Impaired, in Amnazimtoti, he elaborated on his department's pragmatic financial reform plans.

According to his Meyer's department, if his proposal is adopted, the department would save R352 million per annum.

"We can't be expected to spend millions trying to keep the lights on at a school for the deaf and blind while that money could directly improve the education of our children," he stated.

Meyer's remarks highlighted a growing concern among educators and policymakers regarding the financial burden placed on schools via municipal property rate charges. According to Meyer, it is a burden that could be alleviated through collaboration with stakeholders like the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

He questioned the logic behind the current system, and asked: "How can we say we're prioritising education in our province and country if we are forced to spend a lot of money on paying rates, while other organisations and groups are zero rated?"

He noted that the education department’s initiative extended beyond building schools; it includes comprehensive efforts aimed at skills development, learning programmes, and training opportunities for all youth.

Meyer acknowledged the past hurdles faced by the department, particularly with the eThekwini municipality regarding rate payments.

He pledged to improve relationships moving forward. He said: “There's the famous situation we had with eThekwini that we are really going to work on this year.”

He pointed out that KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the few provinces where the government was obliged to pay rates on behalf of schools, which raised financial concerns for institutions like the Amanzimtoti school.

“Just look at the size of this property; you can imagine what the rates on a property like this amounts to,” he explained.

Ukhahlamba Municipality said the proposal would not be feasible for the municipality as a large chunk of the municipality’s revenue comes from rates and taxes.

The municipality’s spokesperson Suraya Asmal said schools within the municipality currently contribute approximately R2.8 million annually in rates and taxes, which forms an important part of the municipality's revenue base.

"As a small, rural local municipality, we are largely grant-dependent and have a very limited ratepayer base. Should schools be exempted from paying rates, the resulting loss of income would significantly affect our financial sustainability.

"This would, in turn, have a ripple effect on our ability to operate effectively and to deliver basic services to our communities,” Asmal explained.

Daily News approached other municipal entities for their views on Meyer's zero property rates proposal for schools but responses were not received at the time of publishing.

DAILY NEWS