The IFP, as the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature, calls upon the KZN MEC for Education, Mbali Frazer, to provide clear timeframes for repairs to schools affected by storms in Mtubatuba, as well as clarity on where these learners will be accommodated in the interim.
The KZN Department of Education is known for its laissez-faire attitude when it comes to assisting learners and repairing schools that have been affected by storms and flooding. During the April 2022 floods, which wreaked havoc in eThekwini, the Department failed to make provision for the learners who were moved from their homes and forced to stay in temporarily shelters.
The KZN Department of Education has been allocated R60 637 286 billion in 2023/24, which is an increase of R3.156 billion from R57 480 788 billion in 2022/23. From this budget, an amount of R3 205 584 000 has been allocated for infrastructure development in 2023/24. Further to that, the 2023/24 Education Infrastructure Grant of R2.9 billion includes the R269 313 million to cover the carry-through costs of repairing and rehabilitating schools that were damaged during the April 2022 floods.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon the KZN MEC for Education to tell the public when the schools damaged by storms in Mtubatuba will be repaired, as final exams are upon us.
As the IFP, we demand answers from the KZN MEC for Education on the following:
- How many learners affected by storms have not yet been placed in schools?
- How much has been allocated to repair schools that have been affected by storms?
- When will the repairs commence?
- How many schools have been identified to accommodate learners affected by storms?
- Has scholar transport been organised for the displaced learners affected by storm? If yes, what are the relevant details; if not, why not?
- How many schools affected by the storms have been stripped of building materials, and have had food meant for school nutrition stolen by community members?
As the IFP, we believe that no leaner should be denied his or her right to education due to the fact that they were affected by storms. We call on the KZN Department of Education to provide the necessary support – particularly to our Grade 12 learners as they write their final exams.
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Contact
Mrs Thembeni Kamadlopha-mthethwa MPL
IFP Chief Whip in the KZN Legislature and IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson for Education
071 884 3844 / 079 114 3015
