The DA calls on Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to ensure that the province’s schools meet minimum norms and standards, including those of infrastructure and furniture. In many instances schools lacked the basics, such as office and kitchen facilities, insufficient ablution facilities and Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity.
During the past week, DA public representatives conducted oversight visits at schools across the province to assess school readiness, and found the following:
- At Rebongwe Primary school in Meadowlands, classes were overcrowded, with three learners sharing two chairs and a table.
- Learner-educator ratios were extremely high at Rebongwe Primary and Morutathoto Primary in Meadowlands, Lodirile Secondary School and DSJ in Dobsonville, Itirileng LSEN School and Mandisa Secondary school in Kagiso, and Phathudi and Diphalane primary schools in Munsiville.
These challenges need to be attended to urgently.
Lack of proper infrastructure and overcrowded classrooms will play havoc with the quality of teaching and education as the increased learner/teacher ratio inevitably leads to learners not receiving the attention they deserve.
By simply meeting the minimum norms and standards for schools the department will enable a conducive learning environment for both learners and teachers.
To this end the DA will continue to engage with MEC Lesufi and the education portfolio committee and address these challenges
Media enquiries:
Khume Ramulifho, MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
082 398 7375