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Eastern Cape schools suffer due to lack of funding

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William Oates School
William Oates School

Dear MyPE

Teachers and academic staff across the Eastern Cape returned to school today to prepare for the upcoming academic year.

I was joined by Mlindi Nhanha, EC Premier Campaign Spokesperson, and Ross Purdon, Ntsikana Constituency Leader, in conducting oversight inspections at three schools in the Somerset East area.

The William Oates Primary School is experiencing a massive lack of funding from the Eastern Cape Department of Education. The school has to make do with 17 teachers for almost 700 learners.

The school experiences many break-ins and learners are taught in inappropriate temporary classrooms. There are also not enough desks and chair for teachers and learners.

Because of the lack of funds received from the Department of Education, the school does its own fundraising. Previously the school yard consisted of mud and sand, but was paved after a company came forward to sponsor the school.

Staff shortages and a lack of textbooks and scholar transport is a big problem at the Johnson Nqonqoza Senior Secondary School. (see picture attached)

The school achieved a 79% pass rate in the 2018 matric exams, but only has 15 teachers and one principal in charge of more than 500 learners. This forces teachers to teach more than one subject.

A shortage of text books translates into a situation where books are shared and kept in classrooms permanently. Learners can therefore not take their books home to study.

The school also has no sporting facilities.

We also inspected Gill College. This school achieved a 100% pass rate in the 2018 matric exams and has to do a lot of its own fundraising. Gill College and Gill Primary are apparently owed a large sum of money by the Department. This money is a subsidy for learners who are unable to pay their own school fees due to financial constraints. (picture attached)

The failing ANC must take responsibility for the struggles these schools face on a daily basis.

The DA believes everyone has the right to a quality education to uplift themselves from poverty, get fair access to jobs and in so doing build One South African for All.

Regards

Nqaba Bhanga
DA EC Premier Candidate

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.