Three Chatsworth schools facing closure
LOW enrolment numbers mean possible closure of three Chatsworth schools, but the Education Department says they are not the only schools affected as this is part of a wider problem.
Last month, the Daily News reported that Summit, Greenvale and Glen Heights primary schools would close in 2019 because of low enrolment.
KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said it is true that some schools in Chatsworth face closure but they have not taken a decision to close them because it is a long process and they want to be thorough.
“It is not just Chatsworth schools (that are affected); it is also rural schools, township schools and schools in the suburbs,” Mahlambi said.
He said they have analysed the transformation of the schooling system and noticed that the system is not aligned.
“It is a broad problem which has been observed over the years and it has been found that enrolment numbers are declining,” said Mahlambi.
He said schools with declining numbers meant their allocations from the department also declined because funding was given according to the number of pupils enrolled.
“We are negotiating with communities to merge some schools that are close to each other and use the facilities for something else, but communities have been resisting the process,” Mahlambi said, adding that transport would be provided to affected pupils.
Vee Gani, chairperson of the Durban South Region of the KZN Parents Association, said schools that are not viable in terms of pupil numbers should be closed. He said parents were no longer necessarily choosing schools that were nearby, resulting in low enrolment at some schools.
Gani said it is unfortunate that children would have to be moved to other schools, but they would benefit from better quality infrastructure.