Premier upbeat on readiness of schools in 2019

Every school in the Eastern Cape will have received stationery, school furniture and adequate teachers by January 20, premier Phumulo Masualle promised on Tuesday at a media briefing regarding the 2019 academic year.

Every year the province is faced with the same problems: schools complaining about staff shortages or not receiving the ordered stationery before schools open.

But Masualle said that would be a thing of the past.

The premier added that alternative measures would be found for 26 schools that were hit by a tornado in December.

For the first time in seven years, the Eastern Cape came eighth when it obtained a 70.6% matric pass rate, leaving Limpopo bottom of the class.

Masualle told journalists it was all systems go for most schools with the exception of some which should be up and running by January 20.

“Owing to inclement weather some of the schools were affected. Components of infrastructure have been activated to ensure adequate responses.

“Where there are deficiencies only then can we look at further avenues. Alternatives need to be found and schools supported by district offices,” he said.

The department of education reported the tornado had caused severe damage to 26 schools in the OR Tambo region. The tornado ripped off roofs, demolished buildings and caused severe damage to school infrastructure.

Masualle stated that schools without stationery, desks and adequate teachers would be dealt with before the end of the month.

In 2018, basic education minister Angie Motshekga singled out the Eastern Cape for lagging behind in providing suitable infrastructure. She said the Eastern Cape had 25 schools without proper sanitation, while every other province had managed to tackle this issue.

Admitting to a backlog in infrastructure at schools, Masualle said the backlog did not determine performance.

“This preoccupation with adequacy of infrastructure – there is no necessary correlation between that and performance.

“So as much as we need that infrastructure, it is not a substitute or a determinant for performance.”