The IFP demands that the KZN MEC of Education, Peggy Nkonyeni and the Head of Department, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi must urgently conduct an audit on school infrastructure damaged by storms after eMafihleni High School learners at Impendle are learning in the open after the Department failed to repair their school which was severely damaged by the heavy storm that ravaged the area in November last year.
“We are tired of the MEC’s ineptitude of failing to act fast in solving problems facing our schools. The MEC is only active when she is expected to attend ANC rallies and meetings but she is not taking matters concerning her department seriously. This is evident from the fact that even National Members of Parliament raised serious concerns about the MEC’s ineptitude to adhere to their requests of submitting reports whenever they request them,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, MPL.
“Drastic action is required, not more broken promises. How can we measure progress if we don’t have an updated infrastructure audit? These environments are not conducive to quality learning and teaching and this is not the education that our children deserve. Poor school infrastructure at many rural schools in KZN is due to a failure to maintain existing infrastructure on a regular basis and should not be blamed on a lack of funds within the provincial government. Poor infrastructure is a contributory factor to the constant drop in the matric pass rate in our province and this cannot continue,” continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“KZN is notorious for having great policies but poor implementation. So when you have thousands of schools without electricity, water, or even toilets, how do you monitor the implementation of a national plan that states exactly what infrastructure every single school should have? We are now well into the academic year and we cannot allow the quality of education delivered at this school to be compromised even further,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
Issued By:
Mr Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education
071 884 3844 / 079 114 3015
For Media Queries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase
IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer
073 024 5675