Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube has revealed that 253,618 foreign pupils and 3,240 foreign teachers were enrolled in South Africas state school sector in 2025.
The data was released in a written parliamentary response to a question from IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe amid mounting concerns regarding the pressure placed on state schools to accommodate both local and foreign pupils.
Organisations such as Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement have alleged that foreign pupils are being prioritised in school placements. These claims have come to the fore as many South African parents find themselves struggling to find places for their children for the 2026 academic year.
