Abstract
Focusing on the dilapidated state of public schools’ infrastructure in the East Rand, Gauteng Province of South Africa, this study presents findings on the reasons why public schools infrastructure is in a dilapidated state, various factors which contribute to the dilapidation and establishes ways in which the state of old and new infrastructure can be improved in an attempt to preserve and maintain a good state of public schools infrastructure. A detailed literature review of both South Africa and international literature was compiled on public schools infrastructure. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 9 schools in the East Rand. The field survey comprised of 3 Department of Education Officials, 9 school principals, 9 school teachers and 9 school governing body members. There are several factors that lead to the state of dilapidation of public schools. The study provides a detailed comprehension on the various factors which contribute to the dilapidated state of public schools’ infrastructure, the main causes of dilapidation, challenges that schools face in keeping their infrastructure in a good condition and ways in which the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure can be improved.