More than R250 billion to be spent over the next three years to ensure access to highest quality public education and better healthcare services, said the Gauteng government.

Gauteng Finance MEC Barbra Creecy who presented the medium-term budget policy statement and the 2016/2017 adjustment budget in the provincial legislature said the government will spend about R128.7 billion in the next three years.

She quoted, “This will finance 2,3 million learners in the public schooling system. It comprises 1,2 million learners in no-fee schools, 42,000 learners in special schools and 141,000 leaners in grade R.”

Along with the education department, the Health Department will also receive over R127 billion.

“The province had managed to intensify cost-containment measures and‚ over the past two budget cycles‚ had diverted almost R500-million from non-core spending towards our priority programmes,” said Creecy.

“In order to improve service delivery of comprehensive health services to the citizens, the health department will receive R127.2 billion,” she said.

The third key priority will be infrastructure, which she says is important to improve service delivery in communities and create jobs, added Creecy.