Schools resisting the twinning idea

Two made it clear they want no part in the pilot study

GAUTENG Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has repeatedly hailed the twinning of schools as a model to non-racialism, but only three pairs of schools have embraced the programme.

The much-vaunted programme appears to have been met with resistance among affected schools, with two of them informing the department that they are not interested in the project.

Lesufi said that during the launch of the programme last year, seven pairs of schools would be twinned as a pilot project that was scheduled to begin in February.

The project’s intention is to twin well-resourced schools with historically poor ones, with a view to improve learning and teaching standards at the disadvantaged institutions.

As part of the project, the twinned schools will share a school governing body (SGB).

But so far only three pairs of schools have been twinned and two others have informed the department they do not want to discuss the idea with the department any longer.

Spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said that only three pairs of schools would be twinned by the end of the year.

Schools that were to be twinned for the pilot project:

Laërskool Jan van Riebeeck and Payneville Primary School in Springs.

Hoërskool Waterkloof and Mamelodi Secondary School in Pretoria.

Laërskool Kruinsig in Kempton Park and Tlamatlama Primary School in Tembisa.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel and Kagiso Secondary School in Krugersdorp.

Sandown High School and Alexandra High School, Joburg.

Hoërskool Kempton Park in Kempton Park and Boitumelong Secondary in Tembisa.

Vereeniging Gimnasium and Phoenix High School.

The first batch were not on the original list. Bovet and Alexandra primary schools twinned early this year while Cultura High School and Zithobeni Secondary in Bronkhorstspruit started sharing an SGB at the beginning of this month. The only two schools of the original seven that have a joint SGB are Sandown and Alexandra high schools.

Sekhonyane said the twinning project was stalled by the consultation process.

“The consultation process is an extremely important, yet sometimes protracted process. The department continues to consult each of the respective SGBs, parents, staff and learners, in the case of secondary schools, until all queries and concerns are addressed satisfactorily,” she said.

Sekhonyane added that once that process had been completed, the department would start with the legal aspect. That included publishing a notice of intention in which the public was given 30 days to make written submissions. The department would respond and then the twinning could be gazetted.

According to the regulations, SGBs must comprise one principal, seven parents, two teachers, one non-teaching member and two pupils. For primary schools, SGBs need only have five parents and do not require pupils.

“Some have not yet completed the consultation process. Two schools have indicated that they chose not to further consult with the GDE on the matter,” Sekhonyane said.

The aim of a single SGB was to ensure, among other things: The transfer of skills. An improved social cohesion and integration among the respective schools.

Cultural awareness.