Minister Getom McKenzie confirmed that the school game is a national priority.
While the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) organized 2025 National School Sports Championship earlier this month, questions have been raised about the progress of strengthening the school game.
This is a matter of concern especially in less—-ore schools.
In a written parliamentary answer presented by MP Nakhansney Bilkulu, Sports Minister Getan McKenzie confirmed that the school game is a national priority.
“Mass participation conditional grant, it receives more allocation than any other program, which is 40% of the total conditional grant allocation,” he said.
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R250 million allocated
For the 2024/25 financial year, the school game received an allocation of R252 million.
The R250 million is kept separately for 2025/26.
Funding is broadcast to support the consent initiative in the Agreement Agreement (MOA) with DBE through large -scale participation conditional grant.
“The grant is to ensure that the department implements its commitment to the MOA to promote the game by staging the school sports leagues, sports equipment and dress, training teachers, district, provincial and national school sports championships and generating employment for school sports coordinators, to promote sports in schools,” McKenzi said.
Support more than 16 000 places
According to the ministry, one to three communities of a total of 16 490 schools, hubs and clubs in the quintal have been supported under the event.
However, the number of supported schools has decreased over time:
- 2021/22: 4 732
- 2022/23: 4 165
- 2023/24: 421
- 2024/25: 3 172
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Inclusive priority was given
The minister said that the department has introduced “regular participation guidelines” in various sports codes to encourage engagement at the ground level.
“These guidelines are meant to ensure that the province, sports association and school sports structures work together. (They are the goals) to develop programs that will encourage regular participation in schools,” McKenzie explained.
These include the school Sport League, Gymnastics Display, Athletics Meeting, as well as the development of school swimming galas.
He further stated that the department’s programs are inclusive, with a strong focus on the nominated groups.
“All our programs include all areas of our community. It includes disability, all nominated groups of people living with women and young people,” said McKenzi.
In the end, he said that the department has the highest participation in the program in the society in the society.
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