Learners at Sapebuso Primary School in Soweto will not receive their first term progress reports today due to the fact that they were not assessed by teachers who have blamed overcrowding as a hindrance in their ability to perform their duties.
The DA has been informed that in some classes, such as grade 5, the teacher to learner ratio is as high as 1:65. It is impossible for quality teaching and learning to take place in classrooms where the number of learners who require the attention of a teacher has to be split among 65.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi has failed to prioritise the basics. The Department has not rolled out additional classrooms and schools fast enough to meet the growing demand for education in Gauteng. Rapid migration into the province requires smarter solutions than the ones that have been offered by the MEC.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura has highlighted the need for increased infrastructure expansion to solve many of the challenges faced by the province. The fast-tracking of school infrastructure will not only alleviate the growing numbers of learners in classrooms, but it will also improve the quality of education received by learners.
The DA will write to MEC Lesufi insisting that he intervene to ensure that the rights of learners at Sapebuso Primary are not infringed and that they are assessed as soon as possible.
Media Enquiries:
Khume Ramulifho MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
082 398 7375
Warren Gwilt
DA Economic Cluster Manager
073 601 6144
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