Portfolio committee demand answers for closed LSEN school

The member of the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee demands answers from officials from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) over the unoccupied Nokuthula LSEN School.

The Lyndhurst school was officially opened in October last year but remains empty. The portfolio committee demanded reasons from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development why it has failed to hand over a certificate of occupancy of Nokuthula LSEN School to the Gauteng Department of Education.

The education department hosted the launch of the matric results and award ceremony earlier this year at the school which cost the state R248 159 795 to construct.

Chairperson of portfolio committee Lindiwe Lasindwa said, “The understanding of the committee was that the school would be occupied and utilised in January 2018 but has remained a white elephant for over eight months.”

The school is designed to cater to 560 learners with special educational needs varying from autism, heavy to light vocational challenges together with physical disabilities.

Lasindwa added, “The committee is of the view that the failure of the DID to provide the occupancy certificate undermines the efforts of the Gauteng Provincial Government to make available quality education facilities to learners with special education needs who have for years been marginalised.”

The committee rejected the report presented by the DID as it did not provide any answers as to why eight months down the line the occupancy certificate had not been issued.

The committee further requested the department to come back on 21 June to present a detailed report on the Nokuthula LSEN School occupancy certificate.

Details: www.gauteng.gov.za

What are your thoughts on the state of the Nokuthula LSEN School? Share thought on the North Eastern Tribune Facebook page.