Officials visit schools to see what challenges they face
MEC responds to persistent challenges faced by schools.
Tsakani – MEC Treasurer Jacob Mamabolo and his entourage visited schools to support the staff as learners showed up for the first day of the academic year.
At Michael Zulu Primary School, principal Lindiwe Vilakazi said the staff and learners were elated to receive the visitors.
“We hope that this visit will make them aware of our challenges. Most of our funding dried up after the Covid 19, yet we remain committed to providing the best quality of education to our learners,” said Vilakazi.
He said 40% of the school’s learners suffer from learning barriers, with 60% being mainstream.
“We have to cater for the needs of the children who are not academically inclined. We need to provide the resources that will help nurture their talents,” she added.
The school does not have a sports field, so the learners have to use local stadia for sporting activities and training.
They also have no library or an arts centre. The school, however, boasts two high-tech smart centres.
One of them is a Kip McGarth education centre, but the school can no longer afford to pay the annual licensing fee.
Vilakazi also mentioned that the school does not have any Wi-Fi. In response to the challenges, Mamabolo encouraged the school to revive its fundraising efforts.
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“Treasury already allocates a large sum to education each year. Rather than asking for more money, we may need to investigate how money is being spent across the board.
“You have done well with raising funds for projects before. I will personally support you as you come up with more innovative ideas,” he said.
At JE Malepe Secondary, administrative principal Stanley Nkosi said the school is a stronghold for gangsterism.
He said they face threats of learning often being interrupted. The school was placed under administration due to financial mismanagement.
“The campus also has serious infrastructural damage, which puts all our lives in danger. The double-storey building is literally splitting,” he added.
In response to their challenges, Mamabolo committed to adopting the school, and making it permanent on the Parliamentary Constituent Office agenda until the challenges are resolved.
He also commended the principal for his efforts.
“The Department of Education needs to stabilise the school governance by finalising the leadership. For me it is an urgent issue,” said Mamabolo.
