The R44-billion backlog in the provision of schooling facilities in KwaZulu Natal will not go unless the Department of Education reduces the cost of building classrooms at the expense of consultants and contractors. 

"The MEC for Education will never make a dent in the backlog in the provision of infrastructure without cutting out the middle man," said Lindani Mncwango who took part in the education debate during Taking Parliament to the People in the Amajuba District.  

The IFP has long predicted a budget overrun in the provincial Department of Education on account of inflated consultants' and contractors' fees that routinely swell the cost of building schooling facilities. 

"The only way for the department to tackle the backlog is by striving to reduce the cost of building schooling facilities by cutting down on bureaucracy and by slashing the inflated contractors' costs," said Mncwango.  

The IFP contends the infrastructure backlog is a matter of misplaced priorities. "Somehow the Department of Education always finds resources for the ubiquitous consultant but never for a substantial reduction in the existing infrastructure backlog," said Mncwango.   
 

For further information contact:
Lindani Mncwango
084 500 0277